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11/09 19:17 CST Chargers QB Justin Herbert avoids injury to non-throwing hand
after taking 8 sacks vs. Texans
Chargers QB Justin Herbert avoids injury to non-throwing hand after taking 8
sacks vs. Texans
By DAN GREENSPAN
Associated Press
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) --- The hits piled up and Justin Herbert finally went
down, but at least the Chargers' struggling quarterback avoided injury in Los
Angeles' 44-22 loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday.
Coach Jim Harbaugh said Monday that X-rays on Herbert's non-throwing hand came
back negative, and he will be available when the Chargers (0-8) visit the
Baltimore Ravens next Monday night.
Herbert was shaken up on a sack by Logan Hall on the Chargers' first offensive
snap of the fourth quarter, the last of a career-high eight sacks he took.
Herbert was able to finish the drive, which ended with a 58-yard touchdown pass
to Quentin Johnston that snapped a stretch of 37 drives over 12 quarters
without a touchdown dating to Oct. 11.
D.J. Uiagalelei replaced Herbert for the Chargers' final two possessions, which
Harbaugh said afterward was a coach's decision.
Herbert has been sacked 31 times, second most in the NFL, and is on pace to
take the most hits of his seven-year career. He has thrown six touchdown passes
and 11 interceptions, with a 61.3% completion rate that is the lowest of his
career. Those numbers are the exact opposite of what Herbert was expected to
accomplish under new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, with the Chargers
hoping that emphasizing a quick-timing approach to the pass game would
drastically cut down the punishment Herbert absorbed.
Instead, Herbert has been battered and looked broken, and the Chargers have
been effectively eliminated from playoff contention before Veterans Day.
The most recent example of a team that went from consecutive double-digit wins
and playoff appearances to being one of the worst in football with a franchise
quarterback in his prime nosediving for non-injury reasons would be the 2013
Atlanta Falcons, who ended up 4-12 as Matt Ryan had big spikes in his
interception and sack totals.
The good news for Herbert? Ryan eventually bounced back, winning the MVP award
in 2016 and leading the Falcons to the Super Bowl.
The bad news --- at least for an organization giving every indication Harbaugh
and his staff will remain in place --- is that it took a change of leadership
for Ryan to find that second wind.
What's working Little went right in the worst loss of a terrible season, but one small bright spot was the Chargers' three plays of more than 30 yards. In addition to Johnston's catch-and-run for a score, KeAndre Lambert-Smith had a 50-yard grab and Omarion Hampton broke off a 32-yard run.
What needs help The defense gave up a touchdown pass with 31 seconds left in the second quarter, turning a possible one-score deficit into a 24-9 hole that effectively put the game out of reach. It was the third straight game in which the Chargers allowed a momentum-changing touchdown in the last 2 minutes of the first half.
Stock up LB Marlowe Wax made an alert play to tip C.J. Stroud's pass and allow Daiyan Henley to pick it off in the second quarter. Wax had eight tackles in 22 defensive snaps as the second-year defender from Syracuse continues to develop.
Stock down RG Cole Strange was benched after getting beat by Sheldon Rankins twice for sacks late in first half. Given his previous experience in McDaniel's offense, Strange was signed in free agency to serve as a conduit in helping install and execute that system, but none of McDaniel's choices are working.
Key injuries WR Ladd McConkey experienced back spasms in pregame warmups and did not play despite being active, the third game he has missed this season. ... Surprising rookie CB Isas Waxter, third-year CB Cam Hart and DL Justin Eboigbe all sustained ankle injuries.
Key number 19 --- The Chargers have turned the ball over 19 times in eight games (11 interceptions, eight fumbles), with multiple turnovers in five straight games and seven of eight overall.
Up next The Chargers head to Baltimore for a Monday night showdown with former defensive coordinator Jesse Minter's Ravens, looking to snap a five-game regular-season losing streak in the series. Baltimore has lost four straight and likely will be giving Jacoby Brissett his first start at quarterback. ___ See AP's full NFL coverage here
What's working Little went right in the worst loss of a terrible season, but one small bright spot was the Chargers' three plays of more than 30 yards. In addition to Johnston's catch-and-run for a score, KeAndre Lambert-Smith had a 50-yard grab and Omarion Hampton broke off a 32-yard run.
What needs help The defense gave up a touchdown pass with 31 seconds left in the second quarter, turning a possible one-score deficit into a 24-9 hole that effectively put the game out of reach. It was the third straight game in which the Chargers allowed a momentum-changing touchdown in the last 2 minutes of the first half.
Stock up LB Marlowe Wax made an alert play to tip C.J. Stroud's pass and allow Daiyan Henley to pick it off in the second quarter. Wax had eight tackles in 22 defensive snaps as the second-year defender from Syracuse continues to develop.
Stock down RG Cole Strange was benched after getting beat by Sheldon Rankins twice for sacks late in first half. Given his previous experience in McDaniel's offense, Strange was signed in free agency to serve as a conduit in helping install and execute that system, but none of McDaniel's choices are working.
Key injuries WR Ladd McConkey experienced back spasms in pregame warmups and did not play despite being active, the third game he has missed this season. ... Surprising rookie CB Isas Waxter, third-year CB Cam Hart and DL Justin Eboigbe all sustained ankle injuries.
Key number 19 --- The Chargers have turned the ball over 19 times in eight games (11 interceptions, eight fumbles), with multiple turnovers in five straight games and seven of eight overall.
Up next The Chargers head to Baltimore for a Monday night showdown with former defensive coordinator Jesse Minter's Ravens, looking to snap a five-game regular-season losing streak in the series. Baltimore has lost four straight and likely will be giving Jacoby Brissett his first start at quarterback. ___ See AP's full NFL coverage here
