Justin Herbert Injury Update: Chargers QB Hurts Left Hand vs Raiders, Returns Wearing Padded Glove

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert became the center of NFL attention today after a dramatic injury scare and quick return during the team’s home matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders in Inglewood, California. Herbert exited after the opening drive with an apparent injury to his left hand, briefly raising concerns about yet another setback in a physically demanding season. He had just marched the Chargers 74 yards down the field, capping the drive with a touchdown pass to Quentin Johnston before jogging with trainers to the locker room for evaluation.

With Herbert off the field, backup quarterback Trey Lance took over the offense as the Chargers listed Herbert as “questionable to return” due to the hand issue on his non‑throwing side. Reports indicated the injury occurred when Herbert’s left hand hit the turf on a short scramble, an otherwise routine play that quickly turned into a potential turning point for Los Angeles.

The tension didn’t last long. Midway through the second quarter, Herbert reemerged on the sideline wearing a padded glove on his injured hand. After testing his grip and ball-handling with team staff, he stepped back in for Lance during an ongoing drive, signaling that he intended to play through the discomfort. According to multiple reports, Herbert immediately completed passes upon his return, helping push the Chargers deep into Raiders territory despite the visible protection on his hand.

Not everything went smoothly on his comeback drive. Near the goal line, Raiders cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly jumped a pass intended for Ladd McConkey, intercepting Herbert in a momentum-shifting red-zone play that underscored both the risk of playing hurt and the razor-thin margin for error in a key AFC West showdown. The interception capped a chaotic sequence in which Herbert went from flawless on the opening series to battling both the Raiders’ secondary and his own hand injury.

For Chargers fans and fantasy football managers alike, the main storyline is that Justin Herbert did in fact return to action today after his brief absence, with no immediate indication of a season-altering setback. Still, the situation will bear close watching over the coming days as Los Angeles evaluates the severity of the hand issue and decides how much protection or maintenance the star quarterback will need going forward.