Justin Herbert injured, DJ Uiagalelei makes NFL debut as Chargers fall to 0-8 in loss to Texans
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert injured a finger during Sunday’s 44-22 loss to the Houston Texans, and the team will now have to wait to see how serious the injury is.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh said Herbert wanted to get back in the game, but the coaching staff changed his mind.
“It could be a fracture, we’ll find out,” Harbaugh told reporters.
Hébert said he would do “everything I can to make sure I’m 100 percent.”
While Harbaugh noted that Herbert wanted to play through his injury, the coach opted to have DJ Uiagalelei, who made his NFL debut Sunday, finish the game.
The Chargers quarterback, who went undrafted by Florida State, replaced Herbert late in the fourth quarter with his team trailing.
Uiagalelei’s first drive ended with a touchdown pass.
Uiagalelei finished his first NFL game with 24 yards and a touchdown on 2-of-7 passing in a 44-22 loss.
It was another rough day for Herbert before his release, as he had just 193 yards, one touchdown and one interception, continuing what has been a rough stretch for the veteran.
Herbert entered the game with 1,398 passing yards, five touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Before Sunday, he hadn’t thrown a touchdown pass since Week 5.
The prospect of Uiagalelei taking the starting job from Herbert would have sounded like a joke early in the season, but nothing is out of reach amid an 0-8 start.
The Chargers’ hopes of reaching the playoffs are all but over at this point, but the arrival of a new starting quarterback could give the team a spark heading into the second half of the season.
Uiagalelei enjoyed a five-year college career at Clemson, Oregon State and Florida State, although he never lived up to the hype he generated upon entering college. After going undrafted in 2025, he signed with the Chargers but did not make the 53-man roster. He spent last season on the team’s practice squad.
During the offseason, he competed for the backup job behind Herbert, but ultimately lost to Trey Lance and started the year on the practice squad.
After Lance was placed on injured reserve with a groin injury in September, Uiagalelei was promoted to the active roster, clearing the way for him to serve as Herbert’s backup.
It’s unclear if the injury Herbert suffered Sunday was serious, but if it is, Uiagalelei will have to step in and salvage what’s left of the Chargers’ season.
Gn sports
