Chargers' Justin Herbert Talks Rehab From Hand Injury Ahead of Wild Card vs. Patriots

The Los Angeles Chargers are looking for their first playoff win since 2018, and having their star quarterback healthy is crucial.

Justin Herbert suffered a fractured left hand that required surgery in Week 13, but played the week after the injury. He finally got to rest last week in the Chargers' season finale, and he said taking the week off was "helpful."

"I'd say definitely not taking hits on it last week was probably pretty helpful," Herbert said, per ESPN's Kris Rhim. "It limited kind of the swelling and just getting back to making sure that you have got full strength, being able to hold onto a football."

Herbert put together another strong season, throwing for 3,727 yards and 26 touchdowns, adding 498 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground. He led the Chargers to an 11-6 record to reach the playoffs for a second consecutive season.

He's played well as of late despite the injury, but he wanted to ensure he'd be at 100 percent for the playoffs.

"I would say that I was able to do most everything out there," Herbert said of Wednesday's practice. "It's just making sure I can grip on the ball and have two hands on it in the pocket. ... So I think that's been good."

Even if Herbert is at 100 percent, the Chargers have a tall task ahead of them this week. They'll play the New England Patriots, who finished the season 14-3, in the wild-card round on Sunday.