Chargers’ Justin Herbert checked for concussion after 2nd quarter hit
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Justin Herbert was flat on his back, slammed to the turf by Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end B.J. Green on a fourth-and-7 play in the closing minutes of the first half, and in obvious discomfort. Green would be penalized for roughing the passer, nullifying his sack of Herbert.
The pain Green inflicted would not be nullified, though.
Herbert exited the field moments later, walking into the blue injury tent to be tested for a concussion. JK Scott came to punt away the Chargers’ last, best chance at scoring a touchdown or a field goal in what would become a 35-6 loss to the Jaguars. Herbert was cleared to resume playing.
But it seemed to be a pointless exercise as the Jaguars pulled away for a lopsided victory.
The hits kept coming for Herbert, who finally left the game for good early in the fourth quarter, replaced by backup Trey Lance with the game out of hand. Herbert has been sacked 35 times this season, more than any other quarterback in the NFL through Week 11, per the website Pro Football Focus.
At game’s end, Herbert dodged a question about the toll the hits he’s taken so far.
Of the upcoming bye week, he said, “I think a lot of guys will get their bodies back this week and, you know, the rest will be good for us.” He also said he could do a better job of stepping up in the pocket and avoiding the near-constant pressure that has resulted in so many hard hits.
When to throw the ball away to avoid a sack and when to hold onto the ball and accept one is a nagging question for Herbert, one he acknowledged wrestling with when not on the field of play, attempting to avoid contact while still trying to make something happen with his legs and his arm.
“It’s the tough part of the job, going out there and doing your best and maybe making something happen, and then too many times where, you know, I hold onto the ball and take a sack, an unneeded sack,” he said. “Sometimes a throwaway is better than a sack and living to fight another day.
“That’s why we watch film and talk about it, and then you’ve got to trust your gut, and you go out there and play as fast as you can and try not to think. But sometimes they (the defenders) get you. I could have done a better job of getting rid of the ball and not taken some of those sacks.”
EXTRA POINTS
The Chargers’ 35-6 loss tied Jim Harbaugh’s widest margin of defeat during his NFL coaching career, matching a 29-point loss while with the San Francisco 49ers during the 2011 season. It was his worst loss during his two-season tenure with the Chargers after nine seasons at the University of Michigan. …
Running back Kimani Vidal rushed for only 13 yards on five carries, his lowest output in six games since he inherited the starter’s job after injuries to Najee Harris, Omarion Hampton and Hassan Haskins. Vidal was limited by a thigh injury suffered in the second quarter. …
Trevor Penning started at left tackle in place of Austin Deculus, making his Chargers debut after a Nov. 4 trade from the New Orleans Saints. Penning gave the Chargers’ offensive line yet another new look in the wake of season-ending leg injuries to tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater.’