The gang gasped. Justin Herbert yelled.
The sight of the Chargers’ quarterback absorbing a bone-shaking hit whereas scrambling made followers at SoFi Stadium maintain their breath and close by teammates rush to his support, however Herbert popped proper again as much as his ft, prolonged the ball in his proper hand and shouted as he emphatically signaled first down.
Herbert used each his arm and his legs to information the Chargers in the fitting route Sunday in a 26-8 win over the New Orleans Saints.
The quarterback threw for 279 yards and two touchdowns to Ladd McConkey and rushed for 49 extra yards, together with a career-high 38-yard run within the second quarter that appeared to set the tone for an offense nonetheless struggling to search out regular footing.
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) takes an enormous hit from Saints security Tyrann Mathieu.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Instances)
After failing to attain a landing in a loss to the Arizona Cardinals final Monday, Herbert stated the Chargers (4-3) nonetheless have been trying to find their offensive identification. Nevertheless lengthy the invention course of takes for first-year offensive coordinator Greg Roman, the search will undoubtedly circle again to Herbert.
The star quarterback accomplished 20 of 32 passes and was once more the steadying power for the sputtering offense that struggled with safety up entrance and punted a season-high thrice within the first quarter.
The equally inept Saints (2-6) relied on a nasty snap on a Chargers punt to attain their first factors of the sport on a first-quarter security.
Navigating a constantly collapsing pocket, Herbert confirmed simply how a lot progress he’s made since a Week 2 ankle sprain by dashing for a first-half game-high 49 yards. His 38-yard scramble was the longest play from scrimmage within the first half because the Chargers inched forward 9-5.
Herbert’s ankle confirmed no limitations when he sprinted down the sphere to meet up with McConkey within the third quarter when the rookie scored on a 60-yard landing catch.
Whereas McConkey danced in the long run zone with fellow receiver Simi Fehoko, Herbert whipped his proper fist within the air earlier than wrapping McConkey in a hug.
McConkey had the primary 100-yard receiving recreation of his profession, ending with 111 yards and the 2 touchdowns on six catches. He’s the primary Chargers rookie to document a 100-yard receiving recreation since Keenan Allen in 2013.
