The Los Angeles Chargers announced Tuesday that quarterback Justin Herbert will miss the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery to repair his fractured right index finger. As the Chargers are currently out of playoff contention with a 5–8 record, Los Angeles and Herbert agreed to proceed with surgery to protect the quarterback long term.

Herbert suffered the injury during Los Angeles’s loss to the Broncos on Sunday, when his throwing hand hit Denver defensive lineman Zach Allen’s helmet. Herbert was replaced by backup quarterback Easton Stick and did not return to the game.  Herbert ends his season with a total of 3,134 passing yards, 20 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 13 games; just before the season began, he agreed to a five-year, $262.5 million extension running through the 2029 campaign.

Stick will assume the starting QB position moving forward, beginning with Thursday’s game vs. the Raiders. Stick has played in two games in his NFL career, totaling just 183 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions.

Editorial credit: Ringo Chiu / Shutterstock.com