The Chargers may quickly want an even bigger damage tent.
After 4 starters, together with star quarterback Justin Herbert, missed the top of the Chargers’ 20-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, coach Jim Harbaugh deflected all questions concerning the mounting accidents Monday, deferring till the crew is required to launch an damage report after follow Wednesday.
That record will probably be lengthy and star-studded.
Along with Herbert’s proper ankle sprain that left him in a strolling boot, the Chargers (2-1) enter an AFC West matchup with the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs with issues about each beginning offensive tackles Rashawn Slater (pectoral) and Joe Alt (knee) and outdoors linebacker Joey Bosa (hip).
Alt’s damage might be probably the most vital, as media experiences indicated the rookie proper deal with suffered a sprained medial collateral ligament on the Chargers’ last offensive play Sunday. NFL Community’s Ian Rapoport reported Alt possible will miss time, however received’t require surgical procedure.
Alt, the No. 5 choose in final spring’s draft, was off to a powerful begin to his professional profession, together with a uncommon good efficiency in opposition to the Las Vegas Raiders’ Maxx Crosby in cross safety within the season opener.
“Joe’s been incredible,” Harbaugh mentioned Sunday in Pittsburgh. “It’s like he’s been playing five, six years. … He’s gone right out of the shoot against some of the best in the game.”
By the point Alt limped off the sphere Sunday, the Chargers already have been scrambling on the offensive line after Slater missed virtually the whole second half.
The Chargers tried to deal with the All-Professional left deal with’s damage by shifting proper guard Trey Pipkins III from proper guard to left deal with whereas subbing in backup Jamaree Salyer at guard early within the third quarter. The safety broke down shortly, nevertheless, resulting in Herbert reaggravating the ankle damage on a sack on the second drive of the second quarter.
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert wears a strolling boot after a information convention following a loss to the Steelers.
(Matt Freed / Related Press)
In contrast to when he initially suffered the damage in opposition to the Panthers, Herbert was unable to complete the sport Sunday, suggesting he might be additional behind than when he began. It will likely be one thing to observe, the quarterback mentioned Sunday, however he famous he was “hopeful” he may play in opposition to the Chiefs, who’ve received 5 consecutive video games in opposition to the Chargers.
Harbaugh mentioned he anticipated that Herbert, whose postgame X-rays have been adverse Sunday, would undergo an analogous routine this week because the earlier week to find out his availability.
Herbert missed two of three days of follow with solely restricted participation within the different session earlier than testing his ankle out throughout walk-through Saturday and warmups Sunday.
“The other [option] would be, no, you can’t play, we’re gonna take it out of your hand, we’re going to let a warrior not be a warrior,” Harbaugh mentioned Monday. “That doesn’t resonate with me. And it’s Justin Herbert. They don’t make them like him.”
