The Los Angeles Chargers survived a frightening moment during Sunday’s game with the rival Kansas City Chiefs.
Quarterback Justin Herbert appeared to be seriously hurt in the second quarter when he delivered a difficult pass as he was being slammed by Kansas City linebacker Nick Bolton.
Herbert collided with Bolton and was shaken up after he scrambled to his right on third-and-10 and threw a deep pass to Quentin Johnston. The fifth-year quarterback remained on the field for a few minutes, with trainers looking at his left leg, and walked slowly to the sideline.
The completion to Johnston was negated by a penalty. Taylor Heinicke replaced Herbert, and the Chargers punted – their sixth straight drive to open the game that ended with a punt.
Fortunately for Los Angeles, Herbert re-entered the game on the Chargers’ next series and ultimately engineered two third-quarter scoring drives to take a 14-13 lead.
MORE TO COME…
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) reacts after an injury during the first half
For Chargers fans encouraged by the team’s 8-4 start to the season, Herbert’s return was not a moment too soon.
Some joked about forming a ‘prayer circle’ as others reacted by calling Botlon a ‘dirty player.’
‘Game is over if Herbert is out,’ one man wrote.
And it wasn’t just Chargers fans who were affected by the scary moment.
‘Please be ok, Herbert,’ Barstool Sports’ Dan Katz wrote on X.
‘Prayers up for Justin Herbert,’ added former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III.
Others accused Herbert of being ‘soft.’
‘He took an elbow to the thigh area,’ another moaned.
Herbert was strong through three quarters Sunday, completing 17 of 25 passes for 168 yards and a touchdown throw to receiver Quentin Johnson.
