Chargers' Herbert fractures finger on throwing hand in loss to Broncos

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert suffered a finger injury during Sunday's 24-7 loss to the Denver Broncos.

Head coach Brandon Staley said postgame that Herbert has a right index fracture, according to Fernando Ramirez of The Sporting Tribune.

"To be determined," Staley said when asked if the signal-caller will be able to return this season.

The Chargers have a short week ahead, as they face the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday night.

Herbert went to the locker room late in the second quarter. The Broncos sacked Herbert four times and hit him six times in the first half. The star passer - who fractured a finger on his non-throwing hand earlier this season - was ruled out after halftime with Denver up 10-0.

Easton Stick entered the game at quarterback for L.A. and finished the affair. Entering Week 14, Stick's last pass attempt dated back to October 2020. He joined the Chargers as a fifth-round pick in 2019.

The 28-year-old finished Week 14 with 13 completions on 24 attempts for 179 yards.

Herbert completed 9 of 17 pass attempts for 96 yards and no touchdowns against one interception before exiting the Broncos matchup. The 25-year-old - who signed a five-year, $262.5-million extension in July - tossed 20 touchdowns to six interceptions before Sunday's game while completing 65.6% of his passes.

A first-round pick in 2020, Herbert has battled multiple ailments throughout his NFL career but has yet to miss a game due to injury.

Sunday's loss drops the Chargers to 5-8 and all but ends the team's playoff hopes. Los Angeles has played only one postseason contest in the Herbert era.

Quarterback injuries have been a big issue around the NFL this season, as several high-profile QBs have missed time. Aaron Rodgers, Deshaun Watson, Kirk Cousins, and Daniel Jones are among the passers who have sustained season-ending injuries at some point this campaign.