The Los Angeles Chargers had very slim hopes of making the playoffs entering their Week 15 matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders. Their loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 14 was a devastating one, dropping their record to 5-8 on the season.
Whatever slim mathematical chances the Chargers had at making a run to the postseason are very likely out the door now. That is because quarterback Justin Herbert injured the index finger on his right throwing hand in the game.
He was knocked out of that contest and watched the remainder of the game from the sidelines. Unfortunately, it sounds like that is where he is going to be spending the remainder of the 2023 season.
According to sources who spoke to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Herbert is going to undergo season-ending surgery on his fractured index finger. Herbert’s streak of 62 consecutive games started, which was second for quarterbacks behind only Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills with 84, will be snapped.
NFL News & Rumors: Brandon Staley, Justin Herbert, Easton Stick, Los Angeles Chargers Updates
Herbert suffered the injury on a hit delivered by Broncos’ defensive end Zach Allen in the second quarter. Despite the hit, was still able to complete a pass to tight end Donald Parham Jr., but went to the sideline after and was evaluated.
In his place, the Chargers are going to be turning to Easton Stick. Stick, a fifth-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft out of North Dakota State, made one appearance in the NFL before this past Sunday. He completed one pass for four yards in 2020. Now, he is in line to make his first career start on Thursday Night Football against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 15.
Herbert will end his fourth season in the NFL with a 5-8 record, completing 297-of-456 passes (65.1 completion percentage) for 3,134 yards and 20 touchdowns with seven interceptions. A lot of his numbers this season will be career-lows, as the Chargers could look to overhaul the coaching staff in the offseason as one of the biggest disappointments of the 2023 campaign.
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