Herbert has endured some tough injury luck of late in his NFL career.
He suffered torn rib cartilage in 2022 and dealt with multiple fractured fingers last year. Herbert's 2023 season ended with him on Injured Reserve.
Herbert then suffered the severe high right ankle sprain in Week 2 against Carolina, an injury that limited his mobility in the pocket for multiple games.
But Herbert said Wednesday he doesn't think his current ankle issue is as bad as previous injuries he's dealt with.
"It could be a lot worse," Herbert said. "Unfortunately, I've been through some pretty gruesome injuries … it's been bad and it's been worse.
"To fight through this, it's part of the game and one of the things that has made this locker room so special," Herbert continued. "All those guys are so tough and it's part of the game. It's an unfortunate part of the game but it's reality.
"We've got a great set of trainers in there, sports medicine, that really take care of us and do everything they can to protect us," Herbert added. "At the end of the day, we feel safe going out there."
Herbert said the worst of his recent ailments was the torn rib cartilage in 2022.
"It could always be the ribs … this is nothing compared to that. It does give you perspective," Herbert said.
Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh said earlier Wednesday that he hopes his star quarterback will be ready by Sunday's 1:25 p.m. kickoff against Tampa Bay at SoFi Stadium.
"I know this, he'll be doing anything and everything in his power to play on Sunday," Harbaugh said. "I've seen it now over and over. Certainly a lesser man wouldn't be doing the things that he does. What more can one man do? He's a beast."
Taylor Heinicke took first-team reps at quarterback in the open viewing session of Wednesday's practice.