Bolts’ Herbert has ankle injury but feeling better

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has a right ankle injury but is “feeling much better,” coach Jim Harbaugh said Wednesday.

Harbaugh said quarterback Easton Stick would start if Herbert can’t play, but he said it was too early to consider hypotheticals.

“Crystal ball?” Harbaugh said when asked if there’s a possibility Herbert doesn’t play. “[I] expect him to get better every day.”

The injury happened in the third quarter of Sunday’s 26-3 win over the Carolina Panthers. Herbert tried to escape the pocket but was pulled from behind by linebacker DJ Johnson and hit face-first by defensive end Jayden Peevy simultaneously, causing his lower body to get trapped under Johnson.

Herbert walked off the field and went into a medical tent with trainers, but he didn’t miss a snap. After his postgame news conference, Herbert walked with a significant limp.

This is second injury Herbert has dealt with this season. During training camp, he spent two weeks in a walking boot while dealing with a plantar fascia injury to his right foot. Herbert said he would have to monitor that injury throughout the season.