Chargers QB Justin Herbert questionable due to severe ankle sprain

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert said Friday that doctors diagnosed him with a severe right ankle sprain and that his status for Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers is “undetermined.”

Herbert said the pain in his ankle was “not great,” and he was limping after the press conference.

“Luckily it's only Friday,” Herbert said. “It is what it is. Now it's just a matter of getting treatment and making sure everything goes as well as possible. I'm doing everything I can to reduce the swelling and the pain and just keep going.”

A source told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler that Herbert was feeling better on Saturday than he did on Friday. The source said the Chargers are confident Herbert can play but will have to wait and see how he feels on Sunday before making a final decision.

The Chargers have listed Herbert as questionable for Sunday's game. He did not practice Wednesday or Friday this week and was limited on Thursday.

Coach Jim Harbaugh said Herbert's lack of practice on Friday was not a sign of a decline in his recovery, but rather was part of the plan developed by the athletic training staff.

“Every day it gets better,” Herbert said. “It's just about getting to a point where you feel comfortable getting out there and moving.”

On Wednesday, Harbaugh said quarterback Easton Stick would be the starter if Herbert couldn't play, but on Friday, Harbaugh appeared to backtrack on that statement.

“Until I know Justin's exact status, I will not disclose any details,” he said.

Herbert's injury occurred in the third quarter of Sunday's 26-3 win over the Carolina Panthers. Herbert attempted to escape the pocket but was pulled from behind by linebacker DJ Johnson and simultaneously struck face-first by defensive end Jayden Peevy, trapping his lower body under Johnson.

Herbert left the field and went with trainers to a medical tent, but did not miss a snap. According to his postgame press conference, Herbert was limping noticeably.

This is the second injury Herbert has suffered this season. He wore a walking boot for two weeks during training camp because he sustained a plantar fascia injury in his right foot. Herbert said he will have to monitor this injury throughout the season.

However, Herbert said Friday that he has recovered from the plantar fascia injury.

Herbert was one of the NFL's most consistent quarterbacks in his first four seasons, starting 62 consecutive games, the second-longest active streak by a quarterback, before a fracture of his right index finger in Week 14 of last year ended his season. Stick went winless in the Chargers' final four games.

“Injuries are unfortunately part of the game and you have to do everything you can to avoid them,” said Herbert. “… Complaining about it and worrying about it doesn't help much.”