The Los Angeles Chargers’ loss to rookie Jaxson Dart and the New York Giants exposed the concerning issues with the Bolts’ O-line. There were injury issues and mistakes that saw coach Jim Harbaugh call the unit out. And now, quarterback Justin Herbert decided to be vocal about what had ruined the momentum for the team.

“We had our shot and we didn’t execute,” he had been brutally honest in his comment. Tackle Joe Alt’s injury also caused further stir. “Tried to get as many chips on the edges as we could,” Justin Herbert said about the offense’s strategy change after the Alt’s injury. “We gotta do a better job executing,” he claimed.

Alt reportedly had an ankle sprain after the Giants’ linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux fell on his leg in the second quarter of the Week 4 game. The team quickly deemed him “questionable” to return. He was later carted off the field.  After being checked out, he came out in street clothes, although he was wearing a boot on his lower right leg, raising eyebrows about his availability for the upcoming matches.

Alt’s absence was a big blow for the team. Herbert ended the game completing 23 of 41 passes for 203 yards, throwing one touchdown but also two interceptions in the loss. Offensive tackle Trey Pipkins stepped in as the starting right tackle. That left offensive lineman Austin Deculus as the only backup swing tackle available.

Starting right guard Mekhi Becton was ruled out of the game with a concussion. But Alt’s injury wasn’t the beginning. He had to step up after the team lost tackle Rashawn Slater. Slater had ruptured his patellar tendon in the training camp. For Slater’s replacement, the team relied on tackle Alt. But the issue began in the second quarter of Week 4.

“I know my team. I know they’re gonna step up,” Harbaugh expressed his optimism about the rest of the players. He added, “It would be embarrassing to tell them ‘next man up’ or that we all have to step up for [each other] even more when you have a great player that is lost for the season. I wouldn’t embarrass them without telling them that because I know they’re gonna do it.”

The team would need more of Harbaugh’s optimism after the loss.

Jim Harbaugh opened up about the Chargers’ struggle as Justin Herbert downplays the issues

After Alt’s departure, there was much pressure on the Chargers’ QB. Herbert faced heavy pressure in Sunday’s loss, being pressured on 21 occasions, which is nearly 48% of his dropbacks, as per Kris Rhim. This shows the offensive line’ struggles to provide consistent protection. The issue had only mounted with Herbert getting hit 26 times over the last two games, including 12 pressures against the Giants.

And as per sources, the coach had placed focus on protecting the QB. “Very concerning,” Coach Harbaugh said, as per the official source. The O-line clearly was able to protect the QB. “Go back and look, and we got to get better. We got to put him in a better position,” he added. “Don’t think he’s been in a good position.”

While Harbaugh had been vocal about the issues, especially with the hits on the QB, the latter had downplayed it, claiming that it’s just part of the game. “It’s part of the game,” Herbert explained. “Playing quarterback is, you’re gonna get hit. And, you know, thankfully, we got a great training staff, and we’re gonna do everything we can to get back out there, and that’s part of the game, and got to be ready to get hit.”

But how many hits does it take to become a serious issue that the team can no longer avoid?