Virtually instantly after an exciting additional time victory towards the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night time, Justin Herbert went in for imaging and X-rays on his ailing left hand.
The scans confirmed his hand was swollen, nevertheless it had improved since surgical procedure, Herbert mentioned. The outcomes offered him with a way of optimism heading into the Chargers’ AFC West showdown towards the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs on Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium.
“I think compared to the days after surgery, I think it’s a lot better now,” Herbert mentioned. “I think it was just sore. I think having played on it, using it, and kind of falling on it too, I think that kind of helped, and was some of the reason why it was sore.”
Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh described Herbert’s efficiency towards the Eagles as “the most competitive thing” he ever noticed. Herbert, nevertheless, gave a damaging self-assessment — he threw an interception and misplaced the ball as soon as on two fumbles. For Herbert, it wasn’t adequate for a Chargers crew vying to achieve the Tremendous Bowl for the primary time in additional than three a long time.
Offensive coordinator Greg Roman, who praised Herbert’s grit after the win over the Eagles, was proud to listen to Herbert taking accountability for his errors.
“First of all, I love that,” Roman mentioned. “That tells me everything I need to know about that individual. … A great leader, setting a great example there. But on the flip side, he did what he had to do to win that game. He’s smart enough to recognize that that’s not how he wants to win every game, and he will adjust accordingly.”
Chargers middle Bradley Bozeman, who has snapped the ball to Lamar Jackson, Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold and Bryce Younger over his nine-year NFL profession, mentioned Herbert is one in all one.
“He’s the best quarterback — no shot to any quarterback ever played with — but he’s the best quarterback ever,” mentioned Bozeman, who joined the Chargers earlier than the beginning of the 2024 season. “He’s committed to what he does. He’s tough as a damn nail.”
That toughness may show to be an excessive amount of for the Chiefs. A Chargers (9-4) win on Sunday (together with a number of different components) may probably remove Kansas Metropolis (6-7) from postseason rivalry for the primary time since 2014.
Though the Chargers try to brush the Chiefs for the primary time since 2013, security Derwin James Jr. is aware of they’ll’t underestimate a Kansas Metropolis crew that has received the final 9 division crowns. James, second on the Chargers in tackles (70), is anticipating all of the challenges that include dealing with Patrick Mahomes at Arrowhead Stadium in 20-degree climate.
“Every time you go out there, everybody’s gonna play desperate to win, because they just want to win,” James mentioned. “We’re desperate, they’re desperate — so let’s go out there and play.”
