The Chargers have had a hard time protecting QB Justin Herbert with both starting tackles injured, and their fears became reality for a moment on Sunday when Herbert went back to the locker room after an injury against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Herbert appeared to injure his left hand, as he was seen grabbing his hand on the sideline after throwing a touchdown pass to Quentin Johnston. By the time the Chargers' offense came back onto the field, Herbert walked back to the locker room and Trey Lance took over at quarterback.
However, Chargers fans were able to exhale, as Herbert returned shortly after with a glove protecting his hand.
Here's what you need to know about Herbert's injury and how the glove might help him.
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What's wrong with Justin Herbert's hand?
After the game, head coach Jim Harbaugh announced that Herbert had broken a bone in the back of his left hand. The injury will require surgery on Monday, December 1. At this point, Harbaugh does not know if Herbert will be able to play in Week 14 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Jim Harbaugh said Justin Herbert has a break in his left hand and will have a medical procedure tomorrow.
— Kris Rhim (@krisrhim1) December 1, 2025
When asked if Herbert will miss time, Harbaugh said he isn’t sure and will see how the week goes. Pic.twitter.com/C0Edx4pamF
Herbert said that his mindset is that he is going to be able to play next Monday against Philadelphia.
The Chargers initially announced Herbert was questionable to return against the Raiders due to a left hand injury, but he returned minutes later wearing a protective white glove over the injured hand.
Justin Herbert returns to the game with a protective glove on his injured left hand pic.twitter.com/rbd567sNaI
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) November 30, 2025
Herbert was seen grabbing his non-throwing hand on the sideline after throwing a first-quarter touchdown on Sunday, but he might have injured it on the play directly before when he absorbed a hard tackle while trying to scramble out of trouble. Herbert stayed in for the next play to toss the touchdown to Johnson.
Justin Herbert #chargers
— Tom Christ, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT (@FantasyInjuryT) November 30, 2025
Took a hit on the second to last play of the drive. The next play threw a TD and looked okay.
After the TD you can see him grabbing at his left hand. During the prior play it appears his left elbow and possibly hand slam into the ground. Pic.twitter.com/4TTfE4zWzj
Herbert's status might be a different story if he was dealing with an injury to his throwing hand, but he will rely on the protective glove to give his injured non-throwing hand some extra padding for the remainder of the game.