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Are the Chargers hiding potential Herbert injuries?
The Los Angeles Chargers came up short in a tough loss to the Houston Texans on Saturday.
But head coach Jim Harbaugh left no doubt about how he feels regarding his quarterback afterward.
He had extremely high praise for Justin Herbert.
In a postgame press conference, Harbaugh delivered one of the strongest endorsements of Justin Herbert that anyone in the NFL has made, calling him “the best there ever was.”
Harbaugh acknowledged the disappointment of the loss, but said Herbert’s weekly performance continues to defy description.
“Every week he does things that are reserved for only the best in the game,” Harbaugh said.
He pointed to Herbert’s competitiveness, toughness, and leadership, noting how the entire team feeds off his presence.
“I’ve kind of run out of the superlatives,” Harbaugh added, before delivering the line that turned heads: “I think he’s the best there ever was.”
Herbert Fights Through Chaos in Loss to Texans
Saturday’s game told a familiar story for the Chargers offense.
Herbert finished the afternoon with 236 passing yards and a touchdown through the air, while also adding 37 yards on the ground.
He repeatedly kept his team within striking distance despite constant pressure and missed opportunities around him.
The Chargers struggled with drops throughout the game, leaving Herbert without several big plays he could have had.
His only interception was not his fault as it went off the hands of Oronde Gadsden II for a red zone turnover.
Protection issues also plagued the offense as it has for much of the season.
Herbert was sacked five times by an extremely aggressive Texans front.
Even under pressure all day, he continued to stand in the pocket, deliver strikes under duress, and create when plays broke down.
Despite the loss, Herbert’s resilience stood out as he continued to battle a left hand injury.
Time and again, he absorbed hits, got back up, and answered with throws that few quarterbacks in the league can make.
Harbaugh’s comments reflect what many around the NFL have seen this year out of Herbert.
Playoff Picture Shifts Heading Into Week 18
With the Chargers loss to the Texans, they have lost their chance at winning the division.
Los Angeles has clinched a playoff spot, but any hopes of winning the division ended tonight when the Denver Broncos officially clinched the AFC West.
That means the Chargers are locked into a road playoff game, with positioning still to be determined.
Looking ahead to next week’s matchup with Denver, Harbaugh stopped short of committing to a plan regarding his starters.
This leaves open the question of whether Herbert and other key players will suit up.
Regardless of how Week 18 unfolds, Harbaugh made one thing clear: win or lose, his belief in Herbert remains unwavering.
The Chargers will look to get healthy before a push in the playoffs that will have to begin on the road.
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