The Los Angeles Chargers broke a stunning touchdown-less streak against the Houston Texans thanks to Justin Herbert. Yet some fans feared he broke his hand in the 44-22 defeat on Sunday.
Herbert addressed the health of his hand postgame. But he's downplaying the potential severity of his ailment.
“Shouldn't be an issue,” were four words Herbert said.
His head coach Jim Harbaugh even saw a QB who wanted to get back out there. Even with his left middle finger in pain.
“Could be a fracture. We'll find out,” Harbaugh said to reporters after the defeat.
So Herbert is trying to play more inspired football in what's become a historically bad season for the Bolts. The Chargers remain as the league's only winless team left. Theories continue to sprout that the franchise will target Ohio State star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith with the top pick come April.
Sunday saw one skid snap on the Chargers' side: Consecutive drives without a touchdown. Los Angeles settled for field goals as points during a span of 37 straight offensive drives. Herbert finally snapped that stunning skid with a 58-yard touchdown to Quentin Johnston in the fourth quarter.
Quentin Johnston finally ends the Chargers' touchdown drought since Week 5 👀 pic.twitter.com/EoZYQ3Yhvw
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) November 8, 2026
The Chargers hadn't crossed the end zone since the Week 5 loss to the Denver Broncos. Which further highlights the inefficiency under Mike McDaniel as offensive coordinator.
Now the Chargers face sitting Herbert if indeed he has a fracture in his left hand. Herbert finished with 13-of-23 passing for 193 yards and the touchdown. However, he got picked off once too as the Bolts drop to 0-8 overall.