'WILLING US TO VICTORY'

Harbaugh lauds Herbert, who ignored pain to guide Chargers into the playoffs

- By Benjamin Royer

QUARTERBACK Justin Herbert played through a fractured left hand for five games in a "very MVP caliber" season, coach Jim Harbaugh says.

(ALLEN J. SCHABEN Los Angeles Times)

Jim Harbaugh listed descriptions of his players as he looked back on the injury-filled route to the postseason the Chargers took to facing the New England Patriots in the AFC wildcard round on Sunday.

Harbaugh, heading into his second postseason as Chargers head coach, coined his team as gladiators, warriors and competitors — grappling the attention off the reporter's question about what he’d learned from the regular-season strife and onto his roster.

"They're mighty men," Harbaugh said Wednesday afternoon.

Harbaugh continued: “It just reconfirms everything that I've always thought and want for our team is: 'Competitors welcome.' Competitors and playmakers, and we've got them.... That bodes really well for our team.”

There's no doubt who the mightiest of the bunch may be for the Chargers (11-6) in 2025.