Each week of the NFL season, Yardbarker will be monitoring players who have suffered notable injuries. Here are five players we’re tracking after Week 13:
Herbert suffered a left hand injury in the first quarter of the Chargers’ 31-14 home win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Backup QB Trey Lance briefly replaced him before he returned with a large glove on his hand. He didn’t miss another snap, completing 15-of-20 passes for 151 yards, two touchdown passes and one interception.
Despite finishing the game, Herbert’s status for Week 14 against the Philadelphia Eagles on “Monday Night Football” is now uncertain. Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh confirmed that the QB fractured his left hand and is slated to undergo surgery on Monday. He’s uncertain if he will miss games.
Herbert played through finger injuries on the same hand during the 2023 season. But if doctors don’t clear him, the Chargers (8-4) will hope Lance shows why the San Francisco 49ers took him with pick No. 3 in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Lance has failed to show why he was a highly touted prospect coming out of FCS powerhouse North Dakota State. In his first four seasons with the 49ers and Dallas Cowboys, he had a 2-3 starting record and posted a below-average 79.6 passer rating.
Gardner left in the first quarter of Indianapolis’ 20-16 home loss to the Houston Texans with a non-contact injury in his left calf. He was subsequently spotted in a walking boot on the sideline.
Colts head coach Shane Steichen didn’t provide an update on Gardner in his postgame news conference, but it’s believed the CB avoided a season-ending injury. NFL Media insider Tom Pelissero reported the initial diagnosis for the DB is a calf strain, and that his Achilles tendon appears intact.
Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reported the Colts anticipate not having Gardner for a couple of weeks. His expected absence will be costly for Indianapolis (8-4), which is now second in the AFC South behind the Jacksonville Jaguars (8-4) after losing two straight games.
The Colts acquired Gardner from the New York Jets before the trade deadline to bolster their secondary. In his first two games with Indianapolis, the two-time first-team All-Pro allowed no TD catches, via Pro Football Reference.
Jones injured his left shoulder after losing a fumble in the third quarter of a 26-0 road loss to the Seattle Seahawks. The RB finished with six carries for three rushing yards and four receptions for 22 receiving yards.
Following Minnesota’s loss, HC Kevin O’Connell told the media Jones will undergo further evaluation on his shoulder. The RB has already missed four games this season with a hamstring injury.
Losing Jones would make things even worse for the Vikings (4-8), who are falling out of playoff contention. Entering Sunday, he ranked second on the team in rushing yards (297) behind RB Jordan Mason (531).
The Vikings passing offense, meanwhile, has sputtered throughout the season. Entering Week 13, Minnesota ranked 29th in the league in passing yards (180.2).
Harrison suffered a heel injury in the second half of Arizona’s 20-17 road loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and didn’t return. He had six receptions for 69 yards before exiting.
Harrison didn’t address his heel issue in a postgame news conference, suggesting he doesn’t consider it a major concern. The WR, however, has battled multiple issues this season.
He had missed two games after undergoing an appendectomy and suffered a concussion in Week 6 against the Colts. These injuries have prevented the former Ohio State star from breaking out this season. Through his first 10 games, he was averaging 14.9 yards per reception after logging 14.3 last season.
Bosa injured his hamstring in the fourth quarter of a 26-7 road loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. He finished with two tackles and one sack.
In his postgame news conference, Bills head coach Sean McDermott said he’s uncertain Bosa will miss time. The former Chargers star has an extensive injury history, having battled foot, groin and ankle issues throughout his 10-year career.
Bosa, a five-time Pro Bowler, missing more time would be inconvenient for the Bills. Buffalo (8-4) is trailing the New England Patriots (10-2) in the AFC East.