Justin Herbert’s game status is up in the air again this week.
Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh provided an update on Herbert’s ankle injury on Wednesday.
“Justin did had x-rays (they were) negative and an MRI on Monday, and it showed that he’s progressing,” Harbaugh said told reporters.
The Chargers listed Herbert as a limited participated during Wednesday’s practice.
“I threw around a little bit,’ Herbert told reporters. ‘I did some 7-on-7 and some drills like that.’
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Herbert said his ankle is feeling better and the plan is to take things “day-by-day” as the Chargers prepare to host the Kansas City Chiefs.
This is the second straight week Herbert’s gimpy ankle has been a main NFL storyline.
Herbert sustained a high-ankle sprain during the Chargers’ Week 2 win against the Carolina Panthers. The injury occurred in the third quarter when Herbert tried to escape the pocket but was pulled from behind by Panthers linebacker DJ Johnson and hit simultaneously by defensive end Jayden Peevy.
Herbert didn’t practice on Wednesday or Friday the following week as the team prepared to play the Pittsburgh Steelers. He then reaggravated the ankle injury during the third quarter of the Chargers’ 20-10 Week 3 loss to the Steelers.
The Chargers are dealing with injury concerns to several prominent players ahead of their Week 4 battle against the Chiefs.
Left tackle Rashawn Slater (pectoral), rookie right tackle Joe Alt (knee), and outside linebacker Joey Bosa (hip) all sustained injuries in the loss to Pittsburgh.
The string of injuries comes at an inopportune time for Harbaugh and the Chargers.
Harbaugh’s never faced Patrick Mahomes, but the Chiefs star quarterback is a career 30-5 versus AFC West opponents and 8-2 against the Chargers. The back-to-back Super Bowl champions have won five straight games versus Los Angeles. The Chargers haven’t defeated the Chiefs since Sept. 26, 2021.
“He’s an elite player and the best,” Harbaugh said of Mahomes. “It’s amazing what he can do. Nothing but respect.”