Chargers QB Herbert sustains rib injury in loss

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Twenty minutes after losing to the Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert exited the locker room with medical staff and walked — with a look of discomfort on his face — to the X-ray room.

With 5:09 remaining in Thursday night’s 27-24 loss, Herbert took a hit from Chiefs defensive end Mike Danna that left him lying on the field for an extended period. He missed one play before returning, then was immediately crushed between Chiefs pass-rushers Frank Clark and George Karlaftis but remained in the game.

Herbert did not speak to reporters afterward, with a Chargers spokesperson saying he would not be available and citing a rib injury.

Chargers coach Brandon Staley initially downplayed any potential injury, saying, “It was just a tough NFL game, and he took some big hits.”

Asked whether he felt concerned about Herbert going forward, Staley said, “No. Because he’s Justin Herbert.”

But Staley later said the Chargers likely will learn more Friday about the nature of any injury to Herbert.

Herbert, who had won his first two games at Arrowhead Stadium, finished with 334 yards passing and three touchdowns, but he also threw an interception that was returned 99 yards for a touchdown, which gave the Chiefs their first lead of the night and energized a packed crowd.

The Chiefs sacked Herbert twice and recorded seven quarterback hits.

The Chargers’ offensive line also suffered multiple injuries Thursday night.

Center Corey Linsley did not return to the game after halftime because of a knee injury, and right tackle Trey Pipkins was sidelined in the second half because of an ankle injury.

“I think Corey has a knee issue; I just talked to him, he seemed OK, but we’ll know tomorrow,” Staley said about Linsley, a ninth-year player and an All-Pro.

Staley said he did not know the severity of Pipkins’ injury.

Backup Will Clapp took over in Linsley’s absence, and Storm Norton, who lost the starting job to Pipkins in training camp, was inserted at right tackle.

With the loss, the Chargers fall to 1-1 in the AFC West.

They will face the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 3 at SoFi Stadium.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.