Chargers' Jim Harbaugh Says Justin Herbert's X-Rays on Leg Injury Were Negative

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh told reporters on Monday that X-rays on the lower right leg of star quarterback Justin Herbert came back negative, per Daniel Popper of The Athletic.

"I'm sure there'll be further evaluations as the week goes on," Harbaugh added.

Herbert told reporters he "got rolled up" following a fumble in the second quarter of Sunday's 26-3 win, though he was able to finish the game.

Injuries have become a bit of a theme for Herbert in recent months.

The 26-year-old suffered a plantar fascia injury to his right foot during the team's training camp in late July that sidelined him for the team's preparations ahead of the 2024 campaign. It was a big blow, considering he and his teammates were learning a new offense with Jim Harbaugh installed as the head coach in the offseason.

The veteran quarterback was also familiarizing himself with a number of new weapons after Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and Austin Ekeler departed this offseason. That process was halted due to the injury.

Harbaugh told reporters in early August the preparations remained "full steam ahead" even with Herbert unable to practice.

"The preparation, the work continues," he added. "He's not on the field, in practice, but in the meeting room, still in the training environment, that chemistry, that rapport you build with those position players, with his teammates, that continues."

It's been a tough half-year or so for Herbert, who saw his 2023 season cut short after fracturing his right index finger in Week 14. He had started 62 straight games before that, throwing for at least 4,300 yards and 25 touchdowns in each of his first three campaigns.

Last year, missed time and the team's struggles in general led to a more muted 3,134 yards, 20 touchdowns, seven interceptions, 65.1 completion percentage and a 5-8 record. All of those marks, outside of the interceptions, were career worsts.

Harbaugh's hiring offered a fresh start, though losing practice time ahead of the season while installing a new offense was hardly ideal. The Chargers have started 2-0, however, a positive start.

If Herbert is forced to miss time, Easton Stick will assume starting duties. He threw for 1,129 yards, three touchdowns and an interception while completing 63.8 percent of his passes in five appearances last year, though the team went 0-4 in his four starts. The hope will be that any cameo in the 2024 season, if needed, is short-lived.