Justin Herbert’s availability for Sunday’s game in Pittsburgh will likely be decided right before the game since the Los Angeles Chargers quarterback missed practice on Friday due to a high right ankle sprain.
Herbert is listed as questionable on the injury report but mentioned that it’s still “something that’s yet to be decided” regarding his ability to play.
Coach Jim Harbaugh confirmed that Herbert did not practice on Friday after discussions with trainers and the medical staff.
“It’s just getting it to a point where you feel comfortable going out there and being able to move,” Herbert said after practice at UNC Charlotte. “It’s a fast game out there, and just being able to protect yourself, get around and handle all those things.”
Herbert injured his right ankle during the third quarter of last Sunday’s 26-3 win against the Carolina Panthers. He did not practice on Wednesday and was limited on Thursday after doing some light throwing.
The Chargers, who are 2-0 for the first time since 2012, stayed in Charlotte this week for two consecutive games in the Eastern time zone.
This is the second time in Herbert’s five-year career that he has been marked as questionable before a game. The first time was two years ago before a Week 3 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars when Herbert had fractured rib cartilage from a hard hit during a prime-time game in Kansas City.
In that game against the Jaguars, Herbert completed 25 of 45 passes for 297 yards, with one touchdown and one interception, but the Chargers lost 38-10.
Since the rib injury, Herbert has also dealt with a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder near the end of the 2022 season and two broken fingers last year, including one on his throwing hand that kept him out for the final four games.
