Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert is dealing with an ankle injury that puts his availability for the Week 3 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in doubt.
Herbert suffered the injury during the first quarter of the Chargers’ 26-3 win over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. Despite the injury, head coach Jim Harbaugh said Wednesday that the quarterback is “feeling a lot better” and that he is optimistic he won’t miss any playing time.
“Crystal ball? Let’s hope it gets better every day.” Harbaugh said“I had a meeting with him. He said he was feeling much better and well today.”
While it’s too early to guess, Harbaugh said Easton Stick would be the starter if Herbert couldn’t play.
“Right now, it’s Easton,” Harbaugh said. “But we’re going to be way over the legal limit of ‘what if,’ if this or that.”
After injuring his right ankle, Herbert went into the medical tent with the team’s athletic trainers but did not miss any action. He was seen limping after the game. Harbaugh said Monday that X-rays on Herbert’s right leg came back negative.
Herbert’s injury is the second to his right foot. He wore a walking boot for two weeks during training camp after being diagnosed with plantar fasciitis, something the team is monitoring throughout the season.