It might be a while before Justin Herbert plays again.
The Chargers’ star quarterback wore a walking boot after seemingly re-aggravating his ankle sprain and is awaiting the results of his X-ray after the team’s 20-10 loss to the Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on Sunday.
Herbert managed to start this week against the Steelers, but he was limited to 125 passing yards and a touchdown while completing 12-of-18 passes.
He was pulled for backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke and didn’t finish the contest.
Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said he knew Herbert was injured immediately.
“As soon as I saw Justin got up, first sign of any limp he was coming out of the game. I took him out,” Harbaugh said.
Herbert threw for 3,134 yards, 20 touchdowns and seven interceptions last season across 13 starts for the Chargers.
He and the Chargers dropped to 2-1 on the season and will host the rival Chiefs at SoFi Stadium next week in a matchup that could now feature Heinicke leading the way.
Heinicke started four games for the Falcons last season and nine for the Commanders in 2022.
He spent one NFL season as a full-time starter, as he was under center for the Commanders for nearly all of 2021.
That year, the Old Dominion alum made 15 starts and recorded 3,419 passing yards with 20 touchdowns to 15 interceptions, completing 65 percent of his passes in the process.