Chargers’ Justin Herbert faces Bucs despite injury

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, who is dealing with a left ankle sprain and left thigh contusion, participated fully in Friday’s practice and is not listed on the team’s latest injury report frees up for him to play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.

“He has the strength of 10 men,” coach Jim Harbaugh said.

Herbert missed practice on Wednesday due to the injuries and was limited on Thursday, putting his status in question. When he returned to practice Thursday, his left ankle was heavily taped and he was wearing a black sleeve on his left leg, even though he had worn that sleeve all season.

The ankle injury occurred on the Chargers’ first drive of their 19-17 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs last Sunday. On third down, Herbert stumbled and was tackled by defensive end Mike Danna, who landed on his ankle. Herbert hobbled off the field and was seen on the NBC broadcast grimacing on the sidelines as athletic trainers taped his left ankle.

The thigh bruise occurred late in the second quarter against the Chiefs. Herbert jumped to make a throw downfield and was hit in mid-air by linebacker Nick Bolton. Bolton’s elbow collided with Herbert’s lower left leg, and the quarterback lay on the ground in obvious pain with the athletic trainers for several moments before finally limping to the sideline.

Herbert missed the Chargers’ next play, but returned and finished the game with no apparent limitations.

Herbert had already suffered a severe right ankle sprain in Week 2 against the Carolina Panthers, requiring him to wear a walking boot. He didn’t miss any games, but was significantly hampered until the Chargers’ Week 5 bye.

“I would say this is probably not that serious,” he said. “It’s definitely painful enough to miss a practice, but I feel like I’ve been able to move around a little better this week than after Carolina, where I was put in a boot and had trouble walking.”

It was an injury-filled season for Herbert. He missed two weeks of training camp with a plantar fascia injury in his right foot, had the previous right upper ankle sprain and will now play with a thigh bruise and another ankle sprain.