Elliott: Chargers had been dumb not to sit injured Justin Herbert in blowout reduction to Jaguars

If Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert assumed he was getting selfless by refusing to leave a game he possibly should not have played in the initially put and wasn’t guaranteed he’d be ready to start off until eventually he went by means of his warmups Sunday, he’s wrong.

By continuing to participate in when the Chargers fell at the rear of the Jacksonville Jaguars by 3 touchdowns late in the third quarter and by the eventual last count of 38-10 with just under five minutes still left in the fourth quarter, Herbert was being egocentric.

By determining to chance aggravating the fractured rib cartilage that limited his agility and ease of movement Sunday — a trouble that’s envisioned to linger — the Chargers’ franchise cornerstone put his team’s year on the line for no good rationale.

The match was misplaced. Progressively depleted by injuries on offense and defense and not able to mount anything at all vaguely resembling a operating activity, the Chargers were going to eliminate to the Jaguars, who feel to be recovering nicely from the quick but damaging City Meyer period.

Herbert did not have to be out there in the 3rd quarter at SoFi Stadium. He definitely did not have to be out there in the fourth quarter.

“I just did not want to stop on the crew. It was, clearly, a tough working day for us, but I did not want to go out,” Herbert reported of keeping in until eventually the exceptionally bitter conclude. “I felt like we were being acquiring the ball out swiftly. I did not want to give up on my group.

“It’s what the crew demands, and in some cases you have to place your very own objectives and everything at the rear of the workforce. I assume that’s what is most crucial. I felt like I was protected out there and I did not want to give up on my workforce.”

Exiting early wouldn’t have been quitting. It would have been intelligent. It would have permit him get some rest. It would have taken out the chance of personal injury. It would have let backup Chase Daniel get some snaps, which could demonstrate worthwhile if Herbert’s injuries does not improve promptly and Daniel has to come in subsequent 7 days or the 7 days just after.

Mentor Brandon Staley apparently attempted to persuade Herbert about the merits of leaving the match, but franchise quarterbacks are more durable to locate than coaches. You know who has the leverage. You know who gained.

“He desired to be out there with his teammates. He felt fantastic and he preferred to end the video game. He wanted to give our team some electricity,” Staley mentioned. “We were being heading to guard him there at the close with really seem defense as best we could, but it was more about him seeking to complete with his men.”

It’s commendable that Herbert wanted to share the last minutes with teammates, even though people minutes bundled boos from the lovers remaining from a non-sellout crowd of 67,964. But Staley should have sat on him, if it arrived to that, to get Herbert to look at the fourth quarter from the bench.

Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, who has wounded rib cartilage, throws a move from the Jaguars in the 2nd quarter. He did not look normal throwing the football.

(Wally Skalij/VFAB)

There was much more at stake for the Chargers (1-2) than a moment of staff bonding. If Herbert had gotten harm even worse, their time would have been all but above. It could be more than, in any case, with street video games at Houston and Cleveland coming up and a lineup further more weakened Sunday by injuries to defensive stop Joey Bosa (groin), deal with Rashawn Slater (biceps) and broad receiver Jalen Guyton (knee).

It is early in a 17-video game period, but introducing people accidents to the absence of extensive receiver Keenan Allen (hamstring), heart Cory Linsley (knee) and cornerback J.C. Jackson (ankle) will induce significant challenges.

“The significant photo is usually what we’re considering about,” Staley mentioned. “We’re not pondering about this video game against Jacksonville, we’re wondering about our whole soccer staff. We’re conversing about the total season. Have confidence in me, in the fourth quarter, we have been undoubtedly talking by means of it.”

Letting Herbert go on to struggle a missing lead to contradicts the strategy that Staley had the team’s very long-term circumstance in head.

“There was just that place in which he wanted to make positive that he finished with his teammates. Until you have been in that position, it is hard to make clear, but it was significant for us to do it,” Staley mentioned. “We were aligned the total way. Relocating forward, we’re heading to retain Justin at the front of all the selections that we make.”

Herbert said he experienced no limits Sunday but he often looked uncomfortable, primarily when turning his human body. He declined to say regardless of whether he experienced received an injection of a painkiller, citing his privacy.

“I trust the professional medical staff members. I rely on the teaching employees. They are not going to set me in harm’s way,” he claimed. “I felt like it was risk-free, they felt like it was safe, so I was going to go out there and play.”

Staley could not do nearly anything Sunday to transform Herbert’s thoughts. But in equivalent situation down the highway, he will have to phase in to avoid Herbert from using such a massive threat for these kinds of a tiny reward.

“I hope that we never get into a sport like this, but I’m positive that there undoubtedly would be a position wherever we would do that,” Staley claimed. “When that time comes, we’ll make the selection.”

Herbert said he has acknowledged the probability that the damage will bother him for a though.

“A lot of men in that locker area really don't truly feel terrific,” he explained. “It’s all about how you react and how you respond.”

His reaction Sunday was commendable but misguided.