The Union-Tribune’s Nick Canepa grades the Chargers following Sunday’s 24-7 loss to the Broncos at SoFi Stadium:
Quarterbacks: F
Justin Herbert started this thing as though he’d never thrown an accurate pass in his life, played terribly, damaged the index finger on his throwing hand prior to halftime, and left for good. Something’s wrong other than fingers. Enter backup Easton Stick, the Softball Bat, with no history. He did as well as he could, and his “could” wasn’t nearly good enough.
Running backs: D
They came out looking as though they wanted to run it, then immediately sat an obviously exhausted Austin Ekeler and that was that. Almost decided they needed the run after Herbert went down. Didn’t matter. Ekeler finally scored in the fourth after the offense went 118 minutes without a TD.
Receivers: F
Tight end Gerald Everett made himself available, as did Donald Parham Jr. But Keenan Allen should have stayed home. This is a group that continuously proves it can’t separate. Rookie Quentin Johnston emerged in the fourth quarter with back-to-back big catches from Stick.
Offensive line: F
Herbert’s first sack was of the coverage/running-for-your-life variety. The second on left tackle Rashawn Slater. The third sacker went untouched. Center Will Clapp allowed the fourth (in the first half).
Defensive line: F
Russell Wilson isn’t near what he used to be, but when he had time to eat lunch back in the pocket, he was plenty good enough.
Linebackers: D
Khalil Mack was everywhere but Fountain Valley. Eric Kendricks had the first sack. Nothing else to say.
Secondary _ F
Forced out of the doghouse, cornerback Michael Davis got the start with Deane Leonard out, and he had a wonderful pick (the team’s first in five weeks) on the Broncos’ first throw, setting up nothing after a fourth-down failure. Davis later allowed a long TD pass to make it 17-0. Derwin James, no longer himself, had a rare whiff then blew a huge tackle. Alohi “Goodbye” Gilman gave up a big throw at the end of the half, leading to a field goal and 10-0 Broncos lead. Asante Samuel Jr. whiffed on a third-and-short.
Special teams: Incomplete
JK Scott, punting brilliantly of late, had a club-record 83-yarder for a touchback. That’s it.
Coaching: P(athetic)
Brandon Staley went for it early, fourth-and-3 near the goal line, and failed. No points after a great defensive play. Went for it fourth-and-2 and failed. Gotta get points when you have trouble scoring, Coach — especially in a close game. Staley had to burn a timeout on a fourth-and-1 that also was a failure, then another TO on a bad challenge. Bad scheme. Sloppy football. He should have gotten a pink slip for his 41st birthday.
Next opportunity — at Raiders (Thursday): F-
A tale of two leaky ships passing on the craps table in the night. Two teams who don’t know who they are, what they want to be, where they’re going, or what they’re doing. If Herbert’s out — and he spent the day concealing his hand like Napoleon — adios.
