Chargers’ Herbert — Ankle progressing ahead of Chiefs game

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Despite leaving the Los Angeles Chargers‘ Week 3 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers after aggravating a high right ankle sprain, quarterback Justin Herbert said Wednesday he is “doing everything he can” to play against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.

“I don’t know. It’s early,” Herbert said of his status. “As long as we keep moving in the right direction [with] weight room [and] treatment that’s always the goal. At this point last week, I didn’t know either, and so it’s one of those things that you take as many reps as you can, do what you can and see where it ends up.”

The Chargers have a Week 5 bye, and while Herbert said the team has had discussions about him sitting out Sunday to rest the ankle, he said he doesn’t “think that’s the way we’re heading.”

Herbert was listed as a limited participant at practice Wednesday. He said he participated in 7-on-7 drills and that his ankle felt good. Last Wednesday, Herbert missed practice with the same injury, so he said this was a sign of progress despite the aggravation Sunday.

“I feel better than I did last Wednesday,” Herbert said. “And so as long as we keep moving forward and we keep getting better, we’re not taking those setbacks. I think we’re moving in the right direction.”

The injury happened in the third quarter of Sunday’s 20-10 loss to the Steelers. Herbert was sacked by outside linebacker Elandon Roberts and got up with a significant limp. Herbert handed the ball off to running back J.K. Dobbins on the next play but then limped to the sideline and had his ankle examined by athletic trainers. He left the stadium in a walking boot but had shed it Tuesday.

Taylor Heinicke replaced him.

If Herbert plays Sunday, he could be without the team’s best offensive lineman in tackles Rashawn Slater (pectoral) and Joe Alt (MCL sprain). Neither practiced Wednesday.

Still, Herbert said he has faith in the team’s backups and isn’t concerned about aggravating the injury Sunday.

“I don’t think worrying does too much. It doesn’t help too much,” he said. “Take it day by day to see how it feels, and if it is an issue, then it’s not safe to go out there and not smart to go play, but it has gotten better.”