Justin Herbert has missed a total of 4 games in his NFL career.
The Chargers’ faithful are always watching Justin Herbert’s every move. His presence on the field is a key factor for their success, but questions arise about his availability. Specifically, fans often wonder how many games has justin herbert missed in his career.
Injuries are a part of the game, and even the most talented players face time on the sidelines. This impacts not only the team’s performance but also the fantasy football leagues. Therefore knowing the exact numbers about Herbert’s absences is essential for everyone who follows his career.
How Many Games Has Justin Herbert Missed in His Career?
Okay, let’s dive into the topic of how many games Justin Herbert, the talented quarterback for the Los Angeles Chargers, has missed during his NFL career. It’s a question many football fans, especially those who root for the Chargers, have on their minds. Staying on the field is a crucial part of a player’s success, and for a quarterback, it’s even more important. When your quarterback is out, it really shakes things up for the whole team. So, let’s break down Herbert’s absences, understand why they happened, and see how it affected his team.
Justin Herbert’s Early Career: A Model of Durability
When Justin Herbert first joined the Chargers in 2020, he seemed like a player who was always ready to go. He started almost every game in his first three seasons, showing amazing strength and stamina. In his rookie year, he stepped into the starting role right away and made a big impact, surprising a lot of people. He played all 16 games that season, displaying not just his throwing arm but also his impressive ability to stay healthy. This level of consistency continued in his second season (2021) where, again, he played all 17 regular season games. This is quite a feat for an NFL player, as the sport is very demanding. This gave hope to the Charger fans, they were seeing a player who could be trusted to be there every Sunday. In 2022, Herbert started all 17 games. Again, this reinforced his reputation as a player who is always available for his team.
The Importance of a Quarterback’s Availability
Think of a team’s quarterback as the engine of a car. Without the engine, the car isn’t going anywhere, right? The quarterback is the heart of an NFL offense. When the quarterback is healthy and playing, the offense runs smoother, plays are executed better, and the team has a higher chance of winning. When a quarterback is out due to injury, the team is forced to adjust. It might mean a backup quarterback needs to take the field, which may not have the same chemistry with the players, or it might mean the offense uses a totally different game plan. This change can be difficult and can make it harder for the team to compete. The ability to play every week is a superpower for any quarterback and is very important for a team’s success.
The 2023 Season: A Shift in Herbert’s Availability
The 2023 NFL season was different for Herbert and the Chargers. It was the season that saw Justin Herbert miss games for the first time in his professional career. Up until that point, he’d been a picture of consistency. It was a tough blow for the Chargers and their fans. It brought up some questions about how the team could perform without their star quarterback.
The First Missed Game
The first game that Herbert missed in his career was in Week 15 of the 2023 season. He suffered a fracture to his right index finger during a game against the Denver Broncos. He had to leave the game early, and the seriousness of the injury became clear later that day. The Chargers, without Herbert, struggled and ended up losing to the Broncos. This was the first time in his NFL career that Justin Herbert didn’t start a game because of an injury. It was a tough pill for both Herbert and the team to swallow.
The Impact of the Finger Injury
A fractured finger for a quarterback is not something you can just play through easily. A quarterback needs the fine motor control of his throwing hand to accurately and powerfully pass the ball. The index finger plays a key part in controlling the ball, and when its fractured, it is really difficult to play. That’s why a finger injury for a quarterback is a big deal. It wasn’t a muscle pull or a bruise where he could try to play through the pain. This specific injury required a break from playing, so that his finger could heal properly. The Chargers had to adjust quickly, turning to Easton Stick as their starting quarterback.
How Many Games Did Justin Herbert Miss Due to Injury?
So, let’s get to the point, how many games has Justin Herbert missed in his career? The simple answer is that, through the 2023 NFL season, Justin Herbert has missed a total of four games due to injury. All of them were in the 2023 season, specifically during the last few weeks of the season.
Let’s break that down:
Week 15, 2023: Missed the game against the Denver Broncos, due to the fractured index finger on his throwing hand.
Week 16, 2023: Missed the game against the Buffalo Bills due to same injury.
Week 17, 2023: Missed the game against the Denver Broncos due to same injury.
Week 18, 2023: Missed the game against the Kansas City Chiefs due to same injury.
| Season | Games Missed Due to Injury | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 0 | N/A |
| 2021 | 0 | N/A |
| 2022 | 0 | N/A |
| 2023 | 4 | Fractured Index Finger |
| Total | 4 |
This table makes it clear that before 2023, Herbert hadn’t missed a single game due to injury. The 2023 season marked a change in his availability.
The Chargers Without Justin Herbert: A Look at Performance
It’s very evident that the Chargers struggled without Justin Herbert on the field. It’s not just that they missed their star quarterback; it’s that the entire dynamic of the team changed. In the games that Herbert missed, the team really struggled. They relied on their backup quarterback, Easton Stick, who did the best he could, but it was clear that it wasn’t enough. The team was not the same without Herbert, they lost their offensive drive and that is obvious.
Here are some of the changes that occurred when Herbert was out:
Offensive Struggles: The offense slowed down considerably without Herbert’s strong arm and ability to read defenses.
Less Scoring: The team scored fewer points in the games without Herbert.
Adjusted Game Plans: The coaches had to change the team’s game plan, as the backup quarterback could not do all the things that Herbert can do.
Relying More on the Run Game: With the backup quarterback, the team had to rely more on running the ball, which was not as effective as their normal strategy.
The team’s performance during those games emphasized just how much the Chargers rely on Justin Herbert. It showed that his presence is very important, not just for his talent, but for the rhythm he brings to the offense.
Understanding Injuries in the NFL
Injuries are part of the game of football. It’s a rough, physical sport, and players often get hurt, and sometimes these injuries can take them off the field. Here’s why injuries happen:
Collisions: Players are constantly running into each other at high speeds. These collisions can cause all sorts of injuries.
Twists and Turns: Sometimes, a player might twist or turn their body awkwardly, leading to sprains, tears, or fractures.
Repetitive Stress: The constant movements involved in playing can cause stress on certain parts of the body, leading to long-term issues.
Bad Luck: Sometimes, a player gets hurt through no fault of their own. It’s just part of the game.
This reminds us that the ability to stay healthy is not something that every player can control. It’s a mix of physical strength, good preparation, and a bit of luck. Players, like Justin Herbert, work hard to minimize the chances of injuries, but sometimes, they can’t be avoided.
Justin Herbert’s Focus on Recovery and Future
After his finger injury, Justin Herbert focused on his recovery, with one thing in mind that is to get back on the field, ready to play. He worked with doctors and trainers to make sure his finger healed properly. He spent time doing exercises to get his hand and arm stronger again. It was a process that needed a lot of focus and patience. This is the part of professional football that doesn’t make it to the highlight reel. It is the process of constant improvement and recovery.
The focus on the future is now with Justin Herbert and the Chargers. He is going to keep working hard, trying to learn from his experiences, and is committed to helping his team succeed. He is also aware of the importance of maintaining his health. The Chargers are keen to get back on top and having a healthy Herbert is key to that.
The Importance of Depth on an NFL Roster
Justin Herbert’s time off the field really showed how important it is for a team to have a good backup quarterback and strength in their roster depth. Having players who can step up when needed is crucial. It’s not just about having a good starting lineup; a team needs strong backups for all the positions, so they can keep playing well even if the key starters are unavailable. This also applies to the quarterback position. The better the backup quarterback is, the better the chance of keeping the team competitive. The 2023 season taught the Chargers organization and their fans a tough lesson about the importance of this depth.
In summary, Justin Herbert has missed four games in his NFL career, all due to a finger injury in the 2023 season. His absence highlighted how much the Chargers depend on him. It also underscores the importance of player health and the necessity of having a strong team with players who are ready to step up when needed. Injuries are unfortunately a part of football, but when the star players are back and healthy, the excitement of the game returns. This is the hope of every Charger fan, they look forward to Justin Herbert leading their team to victories for many years to come.
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Las Vegas Raiders Game Highlights | NFL 2024 Season Week 18
Final Thoughts
Justin Herbert has missed very few games since entering the NFL. He’s demonstrated a remarkable ability to stay on the field, a testament to his durability.
The answer to ‘how many games has justin herbert missed in his career’ is five. He’s been an incredibly consistent presence for the Chargers. This makes his reliability a great asset to the team.
