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Why the Chargers Remain Optimistic Justin Herbert Plays Monday Night vs. Eagles

Dec 06, 2025 at 12:27 PM

Eric Smith

Editorial Director

Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert said Wednesday he is hopeful to play Monday night against the Eagles.

"Yeah, that's the plan. To prepare as if I'm going to play," Herbert said. "We'll see how the next couple of days go. I'll do everything I can to be out there for the team and for the guys out there."

Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh spoke with media members on Friday and offered an update on how Herbert's week has gone.

"On track, optimistic, looked good out there," Harbaugh said. "The really good thing, I'm going to ask him every day, Better today than yesterday?'

"Much better on Thursday than he was on Wednesday, Friday better than it was Thursday. We're hopeful that tomorrow will be better than today,"Harbaugh added.

Harbaugh noted that Herbert has taken both 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 reps but has not gone under center during practice yet.

Herbert underwent successful surgery Monday to stabilize a fracture in his left hand. The quarterback said Wednesday that he had "a plate and a few screws" put into his hand and that the biggest issue going forward was trying to get the swelling reduced.

"I heard it went well. It's been only a couple of days so it's not much of an update," Herbert said. "As long as they said it went well, they stabilized and everything, the doctor was happy with how he performed. I guess that's always a good thing, I guess the next couple of days of seeing how the swelling handles and what goes on from there."

He later added: "I don't know the exact medical terminology or what exactly went on, but he said it went well, got it stabilized and he was happy with how it went."

Herbert did note that having an extra day to get ready for a Week 14 matchup against the Eagles could be a benefit.

"Every extra day is huge. It's obviously a situation where you have to see how it goes throughout the week," Herbert said. "You'd love as much time as possible so I think having an extra day doesn't hurt. Just see how it goes."

While Herbert said the main focus right now in on the swelling, how that tracks will impact whether or not he is able to grip the ball or take snaps under center.

He also added that the he'll worry about what he would potentially wear on game day later on.

"We haven't talked about it yet. I would imagine it being similar to what happened on Sunday," Herbert said about protecting his hand. "I think it would be a hard layer cast underneath the glove, enough padding to cover it. I would imagine it that, we haven't really talked about it yet though."

He later added about being under center: "I think ideally later in the week we would probably test it. I just really haven't gotten that far yet. I think it's just seeing how it feels, if it's comfortable enough and if you're able to take snaps, great. I think Coach Roman did a great job adjusting the game plan where we went to pistol, the gun. We had this gameplan to go under center, but he's fluid with it. I think he understands the situation, Coach Harbaugh, they worked really well together. Whatever ends up happening, I think they're going to be able to make it work."

Herbert said Wednesday he did not attend practice and that his left hand was in a cast.

"I got a lift in, did more treatment … I didn't make it out to practice," Herbert said. "But we'll watch practice for sure after."

He later added with a laugh: "It's casted up if I were to fall over or hit it on anything."

Herbert was asked if he could play if he doesn't practice all week.

"I have, a few times, where I haven't taken reps throughout the week," Herbert said. "It's not ideal and definitely difficult in this league, but if that's the case and if coach feels I'll give the best shot for the team, then I trust his decision."

The Chargers said Monday that Herbert's return to play is considered day-to-day and that the quarterback's status for Monday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles will be determined later in the week.

"Just see how the week goes but he's doing good," Harbaugh said.

Herbert, who has played through multiple ailments in recent years, said he was going to give it his all to help the 8-4 Chargers keep pace in the playoff chase.

"I'm doing everything I can to be out there," Herbert said. "I'd fight through anything for those guys, but at the end of the day, you have to be realistic and listen to the doctors because they know best. We'll see how it goes."