Jim Harbaugh gives comforting Justin Herbert update as Chargers QB looks to do what Aaron Rodgers could not

Jim Harbaugh gives comforting Justin Herbert update as Chargers QB looks to do what Aaron Rodgers could not originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Sticks and stones may break your bones, but do broken bones even matter anymore? They might hurt mere mortals, but they seem to be worth nothing more than a shrug for NFL QBs these days.

The latest to brush a fracture off like dirt on his shoulder is Los Angeles Chargers QB Justin Herbert. He picked up a metacarpal fracture in his left (non-throwing) hand during his team’s 31-14 win in Week 13. But backup Trey Lance only came in for just one possession late in the first quarter before Herbert returned to the action.

Herbert then underwent surgery to repair the fracture right away on Monday. And despite going under the knife, he’s not even expected to miss one week of action.

Herbert could be the 2nd QB to start a game with a broken bone—but the first to win one

Head coach Jim Harbaugh said on December 3 that he was “optimistic” Herbert will start in Week 14 when the 8-4 Chargers—who are in a heated Wild Card race right now—host the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football.

“Not gonna practice, but he hasn't missed a beat," Harbaugh said. "Everybody back today, meetings and out on the field for walkthrough. I think you'll see him out there at practice today.”

Lance will be taking all of the first-game reps for the Chargers this week, per Harbaugh. But he also said Herbert won’t be missing out on any preparation either. And a veteran like Herbert doesn’t necessarily need every practice rep anyway.

Fresh off of literal surgery, best to play it safe with Herbert’s hand anyway. Even if it’s his less valuable one.

Herbert’s iron man approach here is impressive, but somehow not unprecedented this season. Steelers 41-year-old QB Aaron Rodgers started last week despite having three fractures in the wrist of his non-throwing arm.

However, Rodgers did not look good. He even came out at one point for a series when he landed on the cast on his left lower arm during a play that resulted in a defensive TD for the Buffalo Bills. Pittsburgh lost the game handily 26-7.

It’s looking like Herbert will follow in Rodgers’ footsteps and play with a major injury in the lower arm of his non-throwing hand.

But unlike Rodgers—who completed 48 percent of his passes for 117 yards in that Week 13 loss—Herbert could instead lead his team to victory while sporting his own very serious battle scars. He just has to get past the floundering Birds at home.