Jaguars just take out Chargers, Brandon Staley requires heat for not resting Justin Herbert

Beforehand, the inquiries had been about irrespective of whether Justin Herbert would start the game.

Afterward, the thoughts had been about why Justin Herbert completed it.

Which is how complete of a collapse the Chargers experienced Sunday in dropping 38-10 to Jacksonville at SoFi Stadium.

From opening kickoff to final gun, their overall performance was sorely missing as Herbert struggled to play via fractured rib cartilage and the protection wilted below the pounds of a 17-minute time-of-possession deficit.

Then, afterward, issues did not strengthen significantly as Brandon Staley tried to explain why Herbert remained in the recreation even as the Chargers fell 4 touchdowns behind in the remaining five minutes.

The coach seemed to contradict himself as he spoke of the significance of pondering extensive phrase whilst acknowledging that Herbert received out in his wish to continue to be on the field in the quick time period.

“He felt good, and he wished to finish the sport,” Staley explained. “... We were being going to protect him there at the conclude … as finest we could. But it was far more about him seeking to complete the match with his fellas.”

Staley was asked about balancing the present with the potential, especially when working with a franchise quarterback operating below circumstances of compromised wellness.

“The big image is often what we’re contemplating about,” he reported. “We’re not thinking about this activity with Jacksonville. We’re thinking about our complete football workforce. We’re speaking about the complete period.”

Even now, Herbert remained in the game even as the Chargers ended up with no their two very best offensive linemen — remaining tackle Rashawn Slater and middle Corey Linsley, both of those Professional Bowl picks

Chargers fullback Zander Horvath is brought down by Jaguars cornerback Tyson Campbell in the fourth quarter.

(Wally Skalij / VFAB)

Slater still left early in the third quarter just after suffering a perhaps significant biceps damage, and Linsley didn’t play simply because of a knee challenge.

Herbert was sacked at the time and strike five other periods, in accordance to the NFL’s formal stats. Two of people hits — by Jaguars edge rusher Josh Allen — arrived on consecutive plays on the Chargers’ closing possession.

“What wins out in the finish is constantly the prolonged time period, often,” Staley insisted. “There was just that level exactly where he needed to make sure he completed with his teammates.

“Until you have been in that situation, you know, it’s hard to reveal. But it was critical for us to do it. We have been aligned the whole way. Moving forward, we’re going to keep Justin at the front of all the conclusions that we make.”

Staley has emphasised participant security considering the fact that he was employed in January 2021, notably altering every little thing from the team’s offseason schooling to enjoying time in the preseason.

What happened Sunday appeared to be in opposition to a lot of what the mentor experienced preached and practiced more than the past 20 months.

Staley explained “there undoubtedly was” discussion throughout the match about getting rid of Herbert. But, questioned irrespective of whether the quarterback was “adamant” about staying in, Staley answered indeed.

Going forward, the circumstances will not be strengthening at any time soon. Staley acknowledged Herbert’s ribs will be an concern for the foreseeable foreseeable future.

“Justin’s going to be feeling like this when he’s out there participating in,” Staley claimed. “This harm is heading to be there for a when. If you men know the injury, it is not like it’s going to sense greater following week or the 7 days just after that.”

Herbert was harm late in the Chargers’ prior sport, Sept. 15 at Kansas Metropolis. He finished the 27-24 loss to the Chiefs in spite of remaining in obvious ache in excess of the remaining 5 minutes.

His ribs became a tale the same week a clinical malpractice lawsuit submitted by quarterback Tyrod Taylor in opposition to a Chargers crew medical doctor turned public knowledge.

David Gazzaniga is being sued by Taylor since a 2020 pregame injection — meant to aid the quarterback take care of the agony from two fractured ribs — resulted in Taylor struggling a punctured lung.

Gazzaniga stays part of the Chargers’ medical crew and was on the scene in Kansas Metropolis when Herbert was injured.

Chargers extensive receiver Mike Williams catches a touchdown move following to Jaguars cornerback Tyson Campbell in the second quarter.

(Wally Skalij / VFAB)

Late Sunday afternoon, Herbert would not disclose whether he experienced been injected in advance of the recreation.

“I think even so I choose care of my body, that is just one of the things I’d like to continue to keep personal,” he mentioned. “I have confidence in the medical staff members. I belief the teaching workers. And they’re not heading to put me in harm’s way. I felt like it was harmless. They felt like it was secure.”

Herbert finished 25 for 45 for 297 yards, with just one interception and a person lost fumble. The 56% completion amount was his fourth worst in 35 profession commences.

The Chargers developed only a person touchdown in 10 possessions, Herbert hitting huge receiver Mike Williams for a 15-lawn score in the next quarter.

Nevertheless, Staley claimed Herbert’s accuracy was not a problem.

“He was throwing the football very well,” Staley reported. “He wasn’t … the protection … the rush was there currently, which pressured him to have to speed up at times. But he threw the ball very well out there.”

Injuries

The Chargers not only shed Slater on Sunday but also one more Professional Bowl player in Joey Bosa, the edge rusher leaving late in the first quarter right after hurting his groin. Large receiver Jalen Guyton also endured a knee injury that could most likely be significant. ... The Chargers played without the need of Pro Bowl vast receiver Keenan Allen, who carries on to deal with a hamstring problem, and Pro Bowl cornerback J.C. Jackson, who has an ankle injuries.