EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — X-rays on Justin Herbert’s aggravated right high ankle sprain came back negative, Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said Monday.
That was the only tangible update Harbaugh provided on several key injuries the Chargers suffered in a 20-10 loss at the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.
The Chargers were reeling as they returned to their facility Monday following a nine-day road trip to Charlotte and Pittsburgh. Herbert aggravated his high ankle sprain in the third quarter against the Steelers. He was in a walking boot after the game. Harbaugh said Monday he is “sure” the Chargers will “do an MRI, too” on Herbert’s ankle.
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Both of the Chargers’ starting tackles sustained injuries in the game, as well. Left tackle Rashawn Slater injured his left pectoral in the second quarter. He got fitted with a brace during halftime and tried to return for the second half. But he left the game for good after allowing a strip sack early in the third quarter. Rookie right tackle Joe Alt injured his right leg on the final offensive snap of Sunday’s loss. He was limping significantly in the locker room after the game. According to multiple reports, Alt is dealing with a sprained MCL in that right knee.
And there’s more: Edge rusher Joey Bosa aggravated a hip injury on the first defensive play of the game. He came back in for one third down later in the first quarter. That was the last snap he played. Bosa broke his hand in training camp. He suffered a back injury in the season opener that limited him to 14 snaps in Week 2. In those 14 snaps, he suffered the hip injury.
Four of the Chargers’ best players, all nursing injuries as Harbaugh prepares to face the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs for the first time as coach in L.A.
“Today will be a day of evaluation and treatment, really for everybody,” Harbaugh said. “And by Wednesday we’ll be able to give more specific updates.”
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Harbaugh was asked if Herbert was still wearing his walking boot Monday.
“I do not know that,” he said.
After the game, Harbaugh said Slater’s injury “seemed to be a strain there with his pec.”
Chargers star pass rusher Joey Bosa walks off the field with team trainers Sunday. (Justin K. Aller / Getty Images)
When asked Monday if he had any further clarity on Slater’s injury, Harbaugh said, “Evaluations today on everybody, treatment. And we’ll be able to give you much better information when the injury report comes out on Wednesday.”
When asked if Alt’s injury was to his knee, Harbaugh said, “I’m going to be able to be more specific on Wednesday.”
Harbaugh said he did not know if Bosa’s hip injury is “connected to the back.”
“We’re going to get much more specific information by Wednesday,” he added.
With both starting tackles dealing with injuries, there could be moving pieces up front. When Slater went down Sunday, the Chargers initially played Jamaree Salyer at left tackle. But after Salyer was beaten badly on his first rep out there, the Chargers moved Salyer inside to right guard and played Trey Pipkins III at left tackle. Pipkins suffered an injury to his left middle finger in the game. The training staff was applying a splint to his finger as Pipkins left the locker room Sunday night.
Pipkins and Foster Sarell are the options at tackle. Alex Leatherwood is also on the practice squad. Harbaugh said Monday that Salyer has “had more time on task at the guard position.” A potential starting group if both Alt and Slater are out: Sarell at LT, Zion Johnson at LG, Bradley Bozeman at C, Salyer at RG and Pipkins at RT.
The Chargers also have the option of moving Bozeman to right guard and inserting Brenden Jaimes at center.
The protection was abysmal after Slater left the game. Taylor Heinicke, who replaced Herbert in the third quarter, took three sacks on two drives.
“In the protection, we had a sequence where it wasn’t where it needed to be,” Harbaugh said.
Heinicke would be in the line to start Sunday if Herbert cannot play. The Chargers have a bye in Week 5.
Harbaugh said he does not have any regrets about playing Herbert, who completed 12 of 16 passes for 125 yards and a touchdown in the first half.
“I think it was good,” Harbaugh said of the decision-making process. “The doctors evaluate. They clear. Then with your eye, is he able to perform? Is he able to do what he has to do and be able to protect himself? And does he feel like he can play? All those factors are the pieces to the puzzle. I thought he did great. He played really good. He played darn near perfect. It was a heck of a game through the entire time that he was out there.
“The other (side) would be, no, you can’t play. We’re going to take it out of your hand. We’re going to let a warrior not be a warrior. That doesn’t resonate with me. And it’s Justin Herbert. They don’t make ’em like him.”
When asked if the Chargers planned to rest Herbert more this week than last week, Harbaugh said, “We’ll take that one day at a time.”
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(Photo: Justin K. Aller / Getty Images)
