Justin Herbert’s status for the Chargers on Sunday is uncertain.
Herbert, the team’s star quarterback, spoke to reporters Friday and told them that he has a high-ankle sprain and it remains to be seen whether he plays against the Steelers in Week 3.
The pain is “not great,” Herbert said.
But he added a silver lining: “Thankfully, it’s only Friday.”
The Chargers have gotten off to a 2-0 start in Jim Harbaugh’s first season coaching the team.
Herbert sustained the injury during last week’s game against the Panthers.
Earlier this week, Harbaugh expressed optimism that Herbert could play against the Steelers as he was “working through” the ankle injury.
Herbert has tallied 274 passing yards and three passing touchdowns through the first two weeks, with the Chargers relying more on their rushing attack.
“Crystal ball? I expect him to [play] — he’s getting better every day,” Harbaugh said Wednesday. “Last night, we had a meeting with him and he’s feeling much better and good today.”
The other quarterbacks on the team’s roster are Easton Stick, who started four games for the Chargers last year when Herbert was out, and veteran Taylor Heinecke.
When addressing Herbert’s injury earlier this week, Harbaugh told reporters that Stick would likely start over Heinecke if Herbert were unable to go.
The Chargers went 0-4 in Stick’s starts last season.
Los Angeles selected Stick in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft after he played at North Dakota State.