Chargers’ Justin Herbert free from setbacks, active against Chiefs

LOS ANGELES – Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, who is dealing with a high right ankle sprain and was listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs, is active for the game.

Herbert successfully completed the work week without any setbacks and is feeling better this weekend than last, which helped his chances of playing Sunday, sources told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

Herbert sprained his right ankle during the Chargers Week 2 win over the Carolina Panthers. Before the team’s Week 3 game against the Steelers, Herbert hobbled and stayed for two days of practice, but eventually started against the Steelers. But Herbert aggravated the sprain in the third quarter of that game and did not finish the game.

Herbert left Pittsburgh in walking boots after the 20-10 loss, but said Wednesday that the aggravation had not held him back.

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

Unlike the week leading up to the game against the Steelers, Herbert practiced every day this week, with the team listing him as a limited participant on the daily injury report.

Herbert said he participated in 7-on-7 drills and did everything he could to be there.

The Chargers have a Week 5 bye and the team had conversations about Herbert taking this week off to rest and recover, but Herbert said Wednesday he “didn’t think that’s the direction we’re going.”

Herbert will find himself in a less-than-ideal situation on Sunday, with left tackle Rashawn Slater (pectoral) out and right tackle Joe Alt (MCL sprain) questionable. Alt hasn’t practiced all week, but has been working with a trainer on the side during practice.

Still, Herbert said he had confidence in the team’s backups and wasn’t worried about the injury worsening Sunday.

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