COSTA MESA, Calif. (AP) — Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Tyrod Taylor missed last Sunday's game because a team doctor accidentally punctured his lung, according to a person familiar with the case.
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The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday because of medical restriction issues.
Rookie Justin Herbert was the Chargers' surprise starter in last Sunday's 23-20 overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Coach Anthony Lynn said he didn't find out until less than five minutes before kickoff that Taylor would be unable to play.
The Chargers’ team doctor accidentally punctured his own quarterback Tyrod Taylor’s lung just before kickoff Sunday while trying to administer a pain-killing injection to the quarterback’s cracked ribs, league and team sources told ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 23, 2020
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Herbert said he found out he was playing right as the Chargers were lining up to receive the opening kickoff.
Taylor was taken to the hospital due to difficulties breathing after Lynn said he had a reaction to an injection. Taylor was released Sunday night and was at the Chargers' complex on Monday.
The NFL Players Association said on Wednesday that they have been in contact with Taylor and his agent and have started an investigation into the matter. ESPN first reported the punctured lung.
Taylor was briefly on the Chargers' injury report Friday due to a rib injury he suffered in the Sept. 13 opener against the Cincinnati Bengals. He was taken off it, though, after fully participating in practice and taking all of the snaps with the first team.
Lynn did not have an update on Taylor's status on Monday. He said that if Taylor was 100%, he would be the starter on Sunday against Carolina. However, with a punctured lung, the 10-year veteran is expected to be out indefinitely.
Starting to understand why Anthony Lynn has been backing Tyrod Taylor as his starting quarterback even after Justin Herbert’s great performance on Sunday. Just doesn’t feel right to say Tyrod lost his job after the team doctor punctured his lung. What a bizarre situation.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 23, 2020
Herbert, the sixth overall pick in April's draft, became the ninth quarterback since the merger to throw for over 300 yards in his debut, but he threw an interception late in the third quarter that the Chiefs converted into a tying touchdown.
