Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert fractures finger in loss to Broncos

INGLEWOOD — Just when it seemed it couldn’t get any worse for the Chargers, it did Sunday.
Quarterback Justin Herbert suffered a fractured right index finger in the second quarter of the Chargers’ 24-7 loss to the Denver Broncos at SoFi Stadium, an injury that forced him from the game and that might keep him out of Thursday night’s contest against the Las Vegas Raiders, too.
The loss was the Chargers’ fourth in five games, a prolonged skid that has all but mathematically eliminated them from AFC playoff contention after entering the 2023 season with expectations of a second consecutive postseason appearance and perhaps a deep playoff run. It has also cast doubts about Brandon Staley’s future as their coach with four games remaining.
“I’m just focused on getting ready for Las Vegas,” Staley said after the Chargers fell to 5-8. “I have a team that’s hurting. We have to rally. We have to make sure that we get a good two days of practice before we travel and get ready to play a division game. I’m focused on doing my job well and that’s what I’m going to continue to do.”
It’s possible the Chargers will be without Herbert as their starting quarterback for the first time since he was a last-minute replacement for an injured Tyrod Taylor, making his debut in a 23-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sept. 20, 2020. Herbert had played every snap this season until exiting Sunday’s game.
Easton Stick could make his first NFL start Thursday.
“We’ll know a lot more in the next few days,” Staley said.
Initial X-rays revealed the extent of Herbert’s injury, suffered after he completed a pass to tight end Donald Parham Jr. for an 11-yard gain with 4:52 remaining in the second quarter. Herbert was hit on the play by Broncos defensive end Zach Allen and stared down at his right hand after getting to his feet.
Herbert remained in the game for four more plays before the Chargers failed to convert a fourth-and-two situation at the Broncos’ 29-yard line, turning the ball over on downs with 3:11 remaining in the half. Stick replaced Herbert for the next possession and for the remainder of the game.
“I’m not sure,” Herbert said when asked about the severity of his injury. “It’s something we’ll know more about as the week goes on. I’m not sure. That’s probably a doctor’s question. I don’t know the extent, but I got X-rays (in the locker room), came out and couldn’t throw the football.”
Herbert was sacked four times and hit several other times before yielding to Stick, who directed the Chargers to their first touchdown in two games. Herbert completed nine of 17 passes for a career-low 96 yards with one interception in the shortest appearance in his four seasons in the NFL.
The Chargers failed to score a TD in their 6-0 victory last week over the New England Patriots.
Stick threw for 179 yards on 13-for-24 passing, but he struggled to move the ball until he completed consecutive passes for gains of 57 and 22 yards to wide receiver Quentin Johnston on a drive that produced running back Austin Ekeler’s 3-yard touchdown run that made it 17-7 with 10:37 left in the game.
Wide receiver Keenan Allen set a Chargers record with his 108th catch of the season, breaking Ekeler’s mark of 107 set last season. Allen caught six passes against the Broncos for 68 yards. Ekeler caught five passes for 49 yards and rushed for a team-leading 51 yards on 10 carries.
However, the Chargers were 0 of 12 third-down conversions and 1 of 6 on fourth-down conversions. They went for it and failed on a fourth-and-three from the Broncos’ 6-yard line, after cornerback Michael Davis had intercepted Denver quarterback Russell Wilson’s first pass of the game.
Wilson completed 21 of 33 passes for 224 yards and two touchdowns with one interception. He sealed the deal for the Broncos (7-6) with a 10-yard touchdown pass to tight end Adam Trautman that made it 24-7 with 3:11 remaining, capping a 13-play, 75-yard drive after Ekeler’s touchdown run.
“It’s just part of it, obviously, yeah,” Stick said of coming off the bench cold after Herbert departed. “I hadn’t played in a while, but that’s part of the job. I’ve been here five years. I’ve gotten to watch Justin and I’ve watched Philip (Rivers, a former Chargers quarterback,) play and play really well. That’s the standard.
“I just went out there and tried to compete and do the best I can.”