Los Angeles Chargers preparing to start Justin Herbert in Week 4 vs. Chiefs

Travis Wakeman

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Los Angeles Chargers preparing to start Justin Herbert in Week 4 vs. Chiefs image

The Los Angeles Chargers, despite watching Justin Herbert hobble off the field last week and being able to go into their bye next week, are planning to start their star quarterback against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. 

Herbert has stated all week that he would be on the field if he could and now, it looks like that is the plan. 

 

This seems like a risky move for the Chargers. Herbert has been dealing with a high ankle sprain for a couple of weeks and he was unable to finish last week's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. It makes sense that the Chargers want their top player on the field when they face the Chiefs, but it's almost certain that he won't be able to perform at 100 percent of his capabilities. 

Throw in the fact that Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt are both going to miss this game and it just seems like Jim Harbaugh is asking for trouble here. A loss to the Chiefs will drop them to 2-2 and two games back in the division race but losing Herbert for an extended period of time because you played him before he was at full strength could shut down the rest of the season. 

The Chiefs come into this game at 3-0 without playing up to their full capabilities this season but they might be salivating over a chance to face Herbert in these circumstances. Expect the Chiefs to apply a lot of pressure in this game, forcing Herbert to use whatever mobility he has to make plays. 

Sitting Herbert this week and allowing him to rest the ankle through the bye week seemed like the prudent move, but Harbaugh sees it differently. This will definitely be the biggest thing to watch in the game on Sunday. 

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Travis Wakeman

Travis Wakeman Photo

Travis Wakeman has been covering the NFL since 2012 when he started with Bleacher Report. After reporting about the Broncos there until 2016, he joined the FanSided network as a site expert covering the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers while simultaneously covering the Broncos at Broncos Wire when that site launched. He then took over the Broncos site at FanSided in March 2020 and covered the team there until spring of 2024. A lifelong Broncos fan and fan of the game, Travis is filled with sometimes useless NFL knowledge, but it always serves him well in any trivia contest. You can follow him on Twitter/X @traviswakeman10.