Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert is set to undergo surgery on his left hand after suffering a broken bone during the first quarter of Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Despite the injury, Herbert continued to play and contributed to the team’s 31-14 victory.
Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh announced that Herbert would have surgery on Monday but expressed hope that the quarterback could return for next week’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles. “I’m treating it as if I’m playing on Monday,” Herbert told reporters, according to Chargers.com.
Harbaugh praised Herbert’s resilience: “He’s as tough as they come. Taped it up, glove, and played a great game.” However, he also cautioned that Herbert’s participation is not guaranteed, stating, “We’ll see where the week takes us.”
Herbert missed only eight plays after the injury while backup Trey Lance filled in at quarterback. The team adjusted by keeping Herbert in pistol and shotgun formations to reduce contact risk. Harbaugh noted that Lance would have been used in goal-line situations.
In the win over Las Vegas, Herbert completed 15 of 20 passes for 151 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. The Chargers improved their record to 8-4 and currently hold the top Wild Card spot in the AFC.
With their starting quarterback limited, Los Angeles shifted focus to its running game. The Chargers ran 43 times—matching their season high—for 192 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Kimani Vidal had a career-best performance with 126 rushing yards on 25 carries, including a 59-yard touchdown run in the third quarter that broke a tie score. This was the longest rushing touchdown by a Chargers player since 2022.
The Chargers will monitor Herbert’s recovery throughout the week before making a final decision about his availability for Monday Night Football against Philadelphia.
