Herbert taking snaps, says rest helped hand heal

"Herbert, who suffered a fractured left hand in Week 13, said sitting out of last week's game against Denver for precautionary reasons proved beneficial. "I'd say definitely not taking hits on it last week was probably pretty helpful," Herbert said. "It limited kind of the swelling and just getting back to making sure that you have got full strength, being able to hold onto a football.""

"While injured, he typically avoided those during the week, opting to take a few on Saturdays and on game days. But for the first time since the injury, Herbert took under-center snaps on Wednesday, the earliest he's done that since the fracture. "I would say that I was able to do most everything out there," Herbert said of Wednesday's practice. "It's just making sure I can grip on the ball and have two hands on it in the pocket. ... So I think that's been good.""

Justin Herbert is recovering from a Week 13 fractured left hand and regained strength in time for the Chargers' wild-card game. Sitting out the prior game limited swelling and helped his ability to hold the football. He began reintroducing under-center snaps gradually, taking a few on Saturdays and game days, and on Wednesday completed under-center work for the first time since the fracture. Herbert said he could do most activities in practice and emphasized gripping the ball and having two hands on it in the pocket. Last season the Chargers clinched a playoff spot with a 40-7 win over New England; Herbert threw for 238 yards and three touchdowns, and Ladd McConkey had eight catches for 94 yards and two touchdowns.

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