Herbert starts Week 3 vs. Jaguars despite injured ribs
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert started Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Herbert was originally listed as questionable due to a rib injury and was a game-time decision. He considered receiving a painkilling injection in his fractured rib cartilage before the contest to try to play, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. The passer was hurt on a fourth-quarter hit in Week 2's matchup versus the Kansas City Chiefs.
The 24-year-old Herbert received a painkilling injection in order to practice Thursday, but the results were mixed, sources told ESPN's Chris Mortensen.
The Chargers' medical team "encouraged" Herbert to take the "long view" when deciding whether to play in Week 3, reports Mortensen.
Herbert must sign a form advising him of the risks of an injection if he has one.
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) September 25, 2022
Fractured rib cartilage is generally slower to heal that a fractured rib(s) because there’s no blood supply to cartilage.
Team has been “proactive” in communicating with NFLPA and NFL.
Herbert is off to a hot start to the season. He's completed 72% of his pass attempts for 613 yards and six touchdowns against one interception.
The Chargers faced a similar situation at quarterback in 2020. A team doctor accidentally punctured then-starter Tyrod Taylor's lung while trying to administer a painkilling injection for the quarterback's cracked ribs minutes before a Week 2 game. Herbert stepped in for Taylor, making his first NFL start, and went on to be named Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Los Angeles also ruled out wide receiver Keenan Allen and cornerback J.C. Jackson for the Jaguars game due to hamstring and ankle injuries, respectively.
Allen missed last week's loss to the Chiefs as well.