Chargers' Herbert has fractured right index finger

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert fractured the index finger on his throwing hand during Los Angeles’ 24-7 loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday, according to coach Brandon Staley.

Staley said he has no information on a timetable for Herbert’s return and that the team will know more in the next few days.

It will be a short week for the 5-8 Chargers, who play the Raiders in Las Vegas on Thursday.

Herbert has started 62 consecutive games, the second-longest active streak by a quarterback (Josh Allen, 84).

“It’s obviously tough,” Herbert said. “You feel bad for hanging the team out like that. You never want to be taken out of the game … it is something that we’ll know more as the week goes on and if there’s any chance to play, I’ll do everything I can to be out there.”

Herbert suffered the injury after a hit from Broncos defensive end Zach Allen in the second quarter. Herbert completed a pass to tight end Donald Parham Jr. on the play, got up and looked at his right hand but stayed in the game for the rest of the series before going to the locker room and not returning.

“I can’t remember whether it got hit on a helmet or whether it hit on someone’s shoulder pads,” Herbert said, “but I just remember coming up and it wasn’t feeling right.”

In Week 4, Herbert fractured the middle finger on his non-throwing hand while trying to make a tackle after an interception against the Raiders. Herbert had begun playing without a splint only in Week 11 against the Green Bay Packers, and had to switch back to it after a run in the third quarter aggravated the injury. He played with medical tape on that finger Sunday.

In the weeks after that finger fracture, the Chargers took fewer snaps under center and Herbert sometimes even handed the ball off with only his right hand. The issue with the fracture from Sunday is that it’s on Herbert’s throwing hand and he couldn’t grip the football.

In his postgame news conference, Herbert kept his right hand hidden in his sweatshirt pocket but said he was wearing a splint on his injured finger.

“It doesn’t quite feel good,” Herbert said, “but it is what it is.”

With Herbert out, the Chargers turned to quarterback Easton Stick. Drafted in the fifth round in 2019, Stick had played in one game, attempting a single pass, before Sunday.

Stick led the Chargers to their only touchdown on a drive in which he completed a 57-yard pass to Quentin Johnston before Austin Ekeler ran in for the score four plays later. Stick finished the game 13-of-24 passing for 179 yards, with no touchdowns or interceptions.

“I hadn’t played in a while, but that’s part of the job,” Stick said. “I’ve been here [for] five years. I’ve gotten to watch Justin, and I’ve watched Philip [Rivers] play and play really well. That’s the standard. Just went out there and tried to compete, did the best I can.”