Justin Herbert has started every game during the 2023 NFL season thus far, but his streak as the Chargers starter appears to be in jeopardy.
Herbert suffered a finger injury late in the first half of the Chargers vs. Broncos game. The injury occurred after the Los Angeles quarterback was hit by Denver defensive end Zach Allen.
As he was twisted to the ground, Herbert landed hard on his throwing hand. He came up holding it awkwardly and motioned to the bench that he was hurt.
Justin Herbert is questionable to return with a finger injury. pic.twitter.com/F1wQATnAEn
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) December 10, 2023
Herbert didn't return to the game and needed to have surgery to repair his right index finger. That ultimately will knock him out of the rest of the 2023 NFL season.
Here's what to know about Herbert's injury and when he will be back at full strength.
MORE: Updated NFL playoff picture for Week 14
Justin Herbert injury update
The Chargers initially ruled Herbert questionable to return to their game against the Broncos after he suffered a finger injury. However, he was ruled out just after halftime because of the problem.
After the game, coach Brandon Staley announced that Herbert had suffered a fractured right index finger.
Chargers’ HC Brandon Staley said Justin Herbert was diagnosed with a fractured right index finger.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 11, 2023
Herbert had an MRI and other tests on his injured finger on Monday, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. It revealed that Herbert did break his finger and needed surgery to fix it.
Herbert had the surgery on Tuesday. The Chargers placed him on IR Wednesday which will end his season. That means it will be the Easton Stick show the rest of the way for the Chargers.
Herbert went to the sideline right after suffering the injury and went straight into the locker room. There were just over two minutes remaining in the first at the time of Herbert's injury and the Broncos ended up with the ball after a turnover on downs.
The Chargers still managed to get two drives in the half while Herbert was receiving medical attention. Backup quarterback Easton Stick led the offense and completed just 1 of 3 passes for 3 yards before taking a knee to end the first half on his second drive.
No sign of Justin Herbert as #Chargers come out from halftime. Easton Stick is warming up.
— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) December 10, 2023
With Herbert out, the Chargers had to rely on Stick to lead them through the second half of their Week 14 game. The team didn't have another quarterback available on its 53-man roster, so Brandon Staley and Co. would have had to rely on an emergency quarterback were Stick to get injured.
For the rest of the season, the Chargers figure to activate Max Duggan to the 53-man roster. They selected the TCU product in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft but have stashed him on the practice squad.
This isn't the first finger injury that Herbert has suffered this season. He spent several weeks dealing with a fractured finger on his non-throwing hand. This malady, however, is different, as it appears to be impacting his right index finger.
