Chargers QB Justin Herbert (high ankle sprain) questionable to play Sunday vs. Steelers Sep 20, 2024

Justin Herbert’s status for the Chargers’ Week 3 game is up in the air.

The quarterback received a questionable designation on Friday’s injury report due to a high ankle sprain suffered during Los Angeles’ Week 2 win over the Carolina Panthers.

Herbert finished Sunday’s game without missing a snap, posting a 14-of-20, 130-yard, two-touchdown and one-interception passing line. He’s since spent the week in Carolina nursing the injury, which required a heavy tape job on both Thursday and Friday.

“It’s not great. It is what it is,” Herbert said when asked about the level of pain in his ankle. “It’s all about getting treatment and going in there and making sure it’s at its best and doing everything I can to limit the swelling, limit the pain and just keep things moving forward. … Every day, it’s been getting better. It just getting it to a point where you feel comfortable going out and being able to move.”

Herbert’s participation in practice could be viewed as a positive sign, but his words Friday suggest that even if he can play Sunday, it won’t be an easy undertaking. To his credit, he’s remained dedicated in his effort to be available for the 2-0 Chargers’ Week 3 date with the Steelers, but after finding the going to be rather smooth in Week 2, he can’t expect the same against a Pittsburgh team that has also started 2-0 thanks to the efforts of its defense.

On Friday, coach Jim Harbaugh told reporters Herbert has been “doing everything necessary to be able to play on Sunday.” But if he isn’t, well, it’s going to be a tough situation for whichever backup Harbaugh would tab to replace Herbert: Easton Stick or Taylor Heinicke.

On that matter, Harbaugh remained mum Friday.

“Until I really know exactly what Justin’s status is, I’m not gonna reveal what the contingencies are,” he said.

It’s clear the Chargers are holding out hope Herbert will improve over the next two days. If not, they’ll do their best to navigate a suddenly tricky situation.