Chargers' Herbert undergoes season-ending finger surgery
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert underwent season-ending surgery to repair the broken index finger on his throwing hand, the team announced Tuesday.
"A successful surgery. It went well today. He's on the road to recovery," Chargers head coach Brandon Staley said, according to Bridget Condon of NFL Network.
Herbert sustained the injury during Sunday's 24-7 loss to the Denver Broncos.
The star signal-caller left the matchup in the second quarter and didn't return. He was sacked four times and hit on six occasions before his exit.
Herbert has never missed a game due to injury in his NFL career, making 62 straight starts. He played through a fractured finger on his non-throwing hand earlier this season.
In 13 appearances this campaign, the 25-year-old completed 65.1% of his passes - down from 68.2% in 2022 - to go along with 3,134 yards and 20 touchdowns against seven interceptions. He was sacked 29 times.
Herbert has been one of the league's best quarterbacks since being drafted sixth overall in 2020. The former Offensive Rookie of the Year has tossed 17,223 yards and 114 touchdowns, which rank second and fourth in the league in that span, respectively. Despite his efforts, L.A. has only appeared in one playoff contest during Herbert's tenure.
Los Angeles is 30-32 with Herbert under center in the regular season. The AFC West team rewarded the star passer with a five-year, $262.5-million extension in July.
With the Oregon product sidelined, the Chargers will presumably rely on Easton Stick, who replaced Herbert against the Broncos. The 28-year-old has never started an NFL game. Los Angeles also rosters Max Duggan and activated the seventh-round rookie passer off the practice squad on Tuesday, his agent announced.
It's been a disappointing season for the Chargers, who dropped to 5-8 after falling to the Broncos. They take on the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday Night Football in Week 15. Los Angeles then finishes its campaign with matchups against the Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos, and Kansas City Chiefs.