Chargers need to be in rush to protect Justin Herbert against Dolphins defense

In a profession throughout which a lot has been pronounced, few issues ever have stood out so starkly for Justin Herbert.

On 4 events in his 44 NFL begins, the Chargers quarterback has been sacked as many as 4 occasions. Three of these events have occurred in succession over the past three weeks.

“Now we have to get guys open quicker,” offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi mentioned Thursday. “There was a variety of shuffling of the O-line after which dealing with some fairly good rush groups. It’s a mix of issues however actually one thing that we’re conscious of and must do higher.”

Herbert was sacked 5 occasions Sunday at Las Vegas, 4 occasions the week earlier than at Arizona and 5 occasions the week earlier than that at dwelling in opposition to Kansas Metropolis. He has taken 37 hits throughout that stretch.

Going again yet another recreation, Herbert has been sacked by a who’s who of go rushers: Nick Bosa, Chris Jones, J.J. Watt and Chandler Jones, amongst others.

The stress within the recreation in opposition to the Raiders set an early and ominous tone. On the Chargers’ first offensive snap, Maxx Crosby burst round proper sort out Foster Sarell and knocked the ball from Herbert’s hand.

Herbert scrambled to get well the fumble, however a message had been despatched.

The Chargers have been coping with accidents alongside their offensive entrance, with heart Corey Linsley (concussion) and proper sort out Trey Pipkins III (knee) each lacking time not too long ago.

Proper guard Zion Johnson (shoulder) was sidelined for eight snaps in opposition to Las Vegas however managed to play via the ache within the second half.

Professional Bowl left sort out Rashawn Slater (biceps) has been out since getting harm in Week 3.

Together with having their depth examined, the Chargers have been victimized repeatedly by blitzing and extra exotic-type pressures. The appears to be like have led to confusion and breakdowns within the schemes designed to guard Herbert.

“There have been a few pressures that, whenever you don’t deal with them properly, individuals are going to attempt to hold doing it,” Lombardi mentioned. “It’s one thing that we’re going to have to point out that we are able to deal with.

“Now we have had some good reps of it after which simply a few occasions the place the working backs have to slot in inside and take that A or B hole rusher out, which two weeks in a row, now we have type of failed at that. Now we have to organize the fellows higher and get that half mounted.”

On Sunday, the Chargers will face a Miami protection that has produced a minimum of one sack in 10 consecutive video games and a number of sacks 4 video games in a row.

Much more not too long ago, the Dolphins have been attending to the quarterback a lot the identical method opponents have been attending to Herbert. They’ve 9 sacks the final two weeks.

Miami options Jaelan Phillips (drafted within the first spherical in 2021) and Bradley Chubb (traded for final month) at outdoors linebacker.

Additionally they have Melvin Ingram, who was with the Chargers for 9 years earlier than departing in the summertime of 2021 as a free agent.

Ingram, who was the AFC’s defensive participant of the month in September, has sacks in 4 straight video games.

“They’ve a variety of good rushers,” Lombardi mentioned. “We’re going to need to be on the screws with our safety plan, for positive.”

All through the early portion of his profession, Herbert confirmed a capability to keep away from sacks by eliminating the soccer in environment friendly methods. He by no means was sacked greater than 3 times via his first 27 begins.

However the stress of late has intensified, a scenario made tougher by the absence of a dependable working assault and the lack of broad receiver Mike Williams, who has missed many of the final 5 video games due to an ankle damage.

Thursday did convey some encouraging information for Herbert and the Chargers as Linsley, Johnson and Williams all have been upgraded to full apply individuals, suggesting every may play in opposition to Miami.

And many others.

The damage information wasn’t nearly as good for security Derwin James Jr. (quadriceps) and cornerback Bryce Callahan (core muscle) as neither practiced, casting doubt on their availability for Sunday. … The Chargers will probably be with out Pipkins and defensive sort out Sebastian Joseph-Day (knee), each of whom have been unable to apply this week.