Jim Harbaugh doesn’t regret playing Justin Herbert despite re-aggravating ankle injury

Justin Herbert's injured ankle will be monitored throughout the week to determine if he will be able to play on Sunday. X-Rays taken on his ankle were negative, according to Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh.

The Chargers quarterback couldn't finish the game during the loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. Herbert, who has what is diagnosed as a right high ankle sprain, re-aggravated the injury while being sacked in the third quarter. Herbert got up very slowly and walked to sideline with a noticeable limp. He went into the medical tent. Harbaugh pulled Herbert and inserted backup Taylor Heinecke.

Herbert was in a walking boot after the game, but said he's hoping to play against Kansas City this weekend. When he initially suffered the injury during Week 2, he was able to finish the game. Herbert didn't practice at all during two of the three days and was limited in the third last week. There were reports that Herbert wasn't moving like he normally would during the walk-through on Saturday and pre-game warmups on Sunday.

Herbert was unable to finish the game against Pittsburgh, which could mean the re-aggravation might have set him back. Harbaugh indicated he has no second thoughts about Herbert playing.

"No, I think it was good. The doctors evaluate, they clear [a player]," Then with your eye, you can see, 'Is he able to perform? Able to do what he has to do in order to protect himself? Does he feel like he can play?' Harbaugh told reporters on Monday. "All those factors are the pieces to the puzzle."

Harbaugh said he didn't want to sit Herbert.

"The other [decision] would be, 'No, you can't play. We're going to take it out of your hands and [not] let a warrior be a warrior.' That doesn't resonate with me," Harbaugh told reporters. "And it's Justin Herbert. They don't make them like him. I thought he did great."