Justin Herbert Injury: QB Returns After Hit to Ribs

Chargers' quarterback Justin Herbert suffered an apparent rib injury when he took a punishing hit from Chiefs' defensive end Mike Danna in the fourth quarter.

Based on initial video, the Pro Football Docs are concerned that the 24-year-old gunslinger suffered a rib cartilage injury on his left side and may be limited by pain in practice and potentially Week 3.

Herbert is undergoing postgame X-Rays to rule out a fracture.

If he does have a fracture, he would miss extended time and significant rib fractures can result in lung issues. Rib cartilage is too low and doesn't have that risk.

Justin Herbert Injury Update

Herbert will likely see less practice time and will likely have to deal with increased pain, but he should be able to suit up and play for the Chargers in Week 3 and beyond.

If he avoided a rib fracture, he is likely dealing with a cartilage injury. Those injuries can actually be more worrisome and slower to heal than a bone injury. 

Herbert was seen on the broadcast motioning to his left side in a location where the intercostal and oblique muscles attach. 

Herbert missed one play for protocol but returned and finished the contest, putting together a 73-yard drive featuring several darts to get within three points, but was visibly grimacing and threw away a wide-open first-down scramble ostensibly because of his ribs. 

Ironically, Herbert's career was jumpstarted in Week 2 of his rookie season when incumbent starter Tyrod Taylor was punctured in his lung while receiving a rib block injection.

The Chargers, 1-1, have 10 days of rest before they take on the Jaguars in Los Angeles in Week 3.