The Los Angeles Chargers are planning on starting quarterback Justin Herbert for Sunday’s big AFC West game against the Kansas City Chiefs, despite the fact he is still dealing with a high-ankle sprain.
Assuming Herbert starts, it is a very short-sighted move that might have more long-term risk than reward.
Herbert went into the Chargers’ Week 3 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers dealing with the same injury and attempted to play through it despite being limited in practice all week. He was unable to finish the game after re-injuring the ankle on a third-quarter sack. There is almost no chance that his ankle is significantly better after that and now the Chargers are going to put him back out there against another top defense on an ankle that is going to limit his mobility and ability to play up to his full potential.
Even worse, the Chargers are also dealing with major injuries to both starting offensive tackles — Rashawn Slater and rookie Joe Alt — which could limit their ability to protect him.
The Chargers almost certainly see this as a big game that they want to win given that it is a divisional game and a big measuring-stick game against the back-to-back Super Bowl champions. Herbert at less than 100% still probably gives them a better chance than backups Taylor Heinicke and Easton Stick.
That all might be true.
At some point, though, the Chargers have to realize this is only one game in a 17-game season and that they are going to need Herbert for the remainder of the campaign if they are going to have any sort of a chance to make the playoffs. Putting him out there when he is injured, vulnerable and playing behind what could be a makeshift offensive line is only putting him at risk for a more significant injury that could sideline him for additional time.
The Chargers have taken a run-heavy approach to their offense this season and that will probably continue on Sunday. Herbert will still have to pass at some point and he might not be in the best position to do that given his ankle.
The Chargers should be smart. They should be thinking long term.
