Justin Herbert sustains fractured finger in Chargers’ loss
A largely uninspired Sunday afternoon for the Chargers turned even more so when they lost Justin Herbert in the second quarter to a fractured right index finger.
Herbert left the game late in the second quarter and did not return as Easton Stick finished out a 24-7 loss to Denver at SoFi Stadium.
Herbert suffered the injury to his right hand when he was hit after throwing a pass. Chargers coach Brandon Staley confirmed the nature of the injury after the game.
The Broncos repeatedly pressured the Chargers’ quarterback, sacking him four times through the game’s first two quarters.
Chargers’ dim playoff hopes all but gone with loss to Broncos
🏈 Broncos 24, Chargers 7 — FINAL
Easton Stick and the Chargers went nowhere on the team’s final possession, failing to convert for the fifth time on six fourth-down gambles in a loss to the Denver Broncos that all but dissolves any faint playoff hope the Chargers had entering the game.
Stick fumbled the ball on fourth down when he was hit Denver safety P.J. Locke, and linebacker Josey Jewell recovered the ball to cement the Broncos’ win.
Broncos take a commanding lead late in the fourth quarter
🏈 Broncos 24, Chargers 7 — 3:08 left in the fourth quarter
Russell Wilson found a wide-open Adam Trautman for a 10-yard touchdown catch to cap a methodical, 13-play, 75-yard drive late in the fourth quarter.
The Chargers were fooled by the Broncos’ unusual, old-school formation on the touchdown play, which featured three players in the backfield and had every indication of a run play. Wilson rolled out and found Trautman wide open.
Chargers find life on offense in the fourth quarter
🏈 Broncos 17, Chargers 7 — 10:37 left in the fourth quarter
The Chargers finally found some life on offense, with quarterback Easton Stick completing a pair of big passes to Quentin Johnston to set up a three-yard touchdown run by Austin Ekeler.
Stick connected on a spectacular, 57-yard pass to Johnston — the longest catch of the rookie wide receiver’s career. On the next play, Stick found Johnston on a 22-yard pass to set up first and goal. The Chargers drove 94 yards on five plays.
Broncos extend lead on Courtland Sutton’s one-handed TD grab
🏈 Broncos 17, Chargers 0 — 5:55 left in the third quarter
Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton made a spectacular, one-handed catch on a 46-yard touchdown pass from Russell Wilson to extend Denver’s lead.
Sutton made the catch despite Chargers cornerback Michael Davis being called for pass interference on the play. Sutton corralled the throw and pinned it next to his body with one arm as he fell down in the back of the end zone.
The touchdown capped a quick, four-play, 60-yard drive for the Broncos coming off the Chargers failing to convert on their third fourth-down gamble of the afternoon.
Chargers fail to convert on fourth down for third time
🏈 Broncos 10, Chargers 0 — 8:07 left in the third quarter
Joshua Kelley was stuffed on fourth and one by Denver Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton to stymie a promising-looking drive at the Denver 40.
The Chargers have failed to convert on three fourth-down tries this afternoon. The Chargers have failed to score a touchdown on their last 22 possessions.
Keenan Allen became the fastest player in NFL history to reach 900 receptions during the drive with an 11-yard catch.
Justin Herbert, ruled out for the remainder of the game with a finger injury, returned to the sideline wearing a sweater, with his right hand in the front pocket.
Justin Herbert ruled out with a finger injury
🏈 Broncos 10, Chargers 0 — Start of third quarter
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has been ruled out for the remainder of the game because of a finger injury he sustained in the first half.
The injury appeared to be to Herbert’s right hand, based on television replays. He sustained a fractured left middle finger in Week 4 against Las Vegas but was able to continue playing without missing any time.
Easton Stick will continue to play at quarterback as the Chargers try to piece together a comeback.
Broncos take a 10-0 lead over Chargers just before halftime
🏈 Broncos 10, Chargers 0 — HALFTIME
Denver increased its lead over the Chargers on a Will Lutz 23-yard field goal in the final 10 seconds of the second quarter.
The Chargers finished the half without quarterback Justin Herbert, who is questionable to return because of a finger injury.
The injury appeared to be to Herbert’s right hand, based on television replays. He sustained a fractured left middle finger in Week 4 against Las Vegas but was able to continue playing without missing any time.
Easton Stick replaced Herbert for the Chargers’ final first-half drive and looked shaky during a three-and-out series.
The Chargers finished the half with six first downs and 93 total yards. They failed to convert any of their seven third downs and were zero for two on fourth down.
Over their past 2½ games, the Chargers have scored one touchdown on 27 offensive possessions.
The Broncos will receive the opening kickoff of the second half.
Justin Herbert exits with finger injury after being sacked four times
🏈 Broncos 7, Chargers 0 — 1:28 left in the second quarter
The Chargers lost quarterback Justin Herbert to a finger injury late in the first half against Denver.
The team announced that Herbert is questionable to return.
Herbert was sacked four times before departing as the Broncos’ pressure has repeatedly thwarted the Chargers’ protection plan.
With Easton Stick in, the Chargers went three and out and punted for the fourth time on the day.
Broncos take early lead after Justin Herbert throws interception
🏈 Broncos 7, Chargers 0 — 4:55 left in the first quarter
Denver took an early lead on a five-yard touchdown run by Javonte Williams.
The score came on the first play after Justin Herbert was intercepted by Broncos’ edge rusher Jonathon Cooper, who grabbed the ball out of the air after it was deflected by linebacker Baron Browning.
The Chargers had an earlier opportunity to score first after a Michael Davis interception deep in Denver territory. But Herbert’s fourth-down pass went off the hands of tight end Gerald Everett in the end zone.
NFL roundtable: Why is Austin Ekeler struggling?
Austin Ekeler’s pass-catching duties used to compensate for the lack of a running game. Why do you suppose the Chargers can’t seem to go there anymore?
Sam Farmer: That’s a mystery. Ekeler looks like a shell of his old self out there. People who have him in fantasy football must be going crazy.
Jeff Miller: Ekeler hasn’t looked like himself since suffering a high-ankle sprain in a very productive Week 1 loss to Miami. He appears to be healthy enough, but the explosive plays are not developing. Offensive coordinator Kellen Moore has been unable to maximize Ekeler in the passing game, which does seem a little strange, especially with the Chargers searching for offense with the injury absences of Mike Williams and Joshua Palmer.
Chargers’ bad/good news: Corey Linsley unlikely to return, but receiver help is on way
Shortly after welcoming back to practice one of their starters Wednesday, the Chargers confirmed another key member of their offense is unlikely to return this season.
Coach Brandon Staley said he doesn’t think center Corey Linsley will play again in 2023.
Linsley, 32, who has earned both All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors during his 10-year career, has been sidelined since late September because of a heart-related issue.
He played every snap of the Chargers’ first three games before going out, the team struggling to run the ball and with overall offensive consistency throughout the season.
Chargers vs. Denver Broncos inactives for Sunday
The Chargers’ inactives for Sunday against Denver include cornerback Deane Leonard, who has been dealing with an ankle/heel injury.
Leonard had moved into the starting lineup two games ago in place of Michael Davis as coach Brandon Staley shuffled his secondary. Davis is now expected to return to the starting lineup.
The team’s other inactives: defensive lineman Otito Ogbonnia (knee), linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga (hamstring), safety JT Woods and tight end Stone Smartt.
Breaking down Chargers’ five games, needing a sweep to have chance at a playoff spot
He summarized the significance of his team’s latest victory by assigning it maximum value, Brandon Staley going with “10 out of 10.”
Given that fact, how important does that make the Chargers’ next game, against Denver? Safety Derwin James Jr. did not hesitate before declaring “12 out of 10,” explaining AFC West games count double.
Believe it, with their season just one more teeter from toppling, the Chargers would win twice Sunday at SoFi Stadium if they could.
They are 5-7 and 12th in the conference with seven teams ahead of them for three AFC wild-card spots.
Chargers-Broncos matchups: How to watch, start time and prediction
Breaking down how the Chargers (5-7) and the Denver Broncos (6-6) match up heading into their game Sunday at 1:25 p.m. PST at SoFi Stadium. The game will be televised on CBS and Paramount+.
When Chargers have the ball
The less-than-ideal elements — Baltimore’s smothering defense and New England’s soaking rain — have worked against the Chargers the last two weeks. Still, it’s rather jarring that an offense led by a quarterback of Justin Herbert’s ability has scored only 16 points (one touchdown) over the last eight quarters.