Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert will be sidelined for the final four games of the season after undergoing surgery on his fractured right index finger Tuesday, the team announced. Easton Stick will make his first NFL start when the Chargers face the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday night.
Herbert was injured in the second quarter of the Chargers’ 24-7 loss Sunday to the Denver Broncos. His streak of 62 consecutive starts beginning with his NFL debut in Week 2 of the 2020 season will come to an end with Stick assuming the starter’s role for the first time in his career.
The Chargers (5-8) have games against the Raiders, Buffalo Bills, Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs remaining. While not mathematically eliminated from the AFC playoffs, their chances at a second consecutive postseason appearance faded with losses in four of their past five games.
“All of our focus has to be on his future,” Chargers coach Brandon Staley said Monday of Herbert. “There’s nothing more important than that, than his right hand and his long-term future. He’s 25 years old. Has a really, really bright future in front of him. Every decision that we make is going to be with that in mind.”
The Chargers placed Herbert on injured reserve. Max Duggan, a rookie quarterback who was the Chargers’ seventh-round draft pick out of TCU, is expected to serve as Stick’s backup for the rest of the season. Duggan has spent the season on the Chargers’ practice squad.
Herbert is only the latest standout Chargers player to be sidelined by a significant injury.
Wide receiver Mike Williams suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 3. Outside linebacker Joey Bosa has been on injured reserve since since Nov. 22 because of a sprained right foot. Wide receiver Joshua Palmer has been limited to seven games because of a knee injury.
Plus, running back Austin Ekeler sprained his ankle in the season-opening game Sept. 10 against the Miami Dolphins and sat out the next three, returning to the lineup after the bye week to face the Dallas Cowboys in Week 5. He has walked with a noticeable limp ever since he was hurt.
More to come on this story.