EL SEGUNDO — Justin Herbert’s sprained right ankle was sufficiently improved last Sunday to allow the Chargers to open the playbook slightly wider than in the weeks leading up to their 23-16 victory over the Denver Broncos. What happens next depends on Herbert’s continued recovery.
Greg Roman, the Chargers’ offensive coordinator, said he has plays upon plays upon plays he’d like to deploy for Monday night’s game against the Arizona Cardinals. It all depends on how many additional steps Herbert can take in rebounding from a debilitating injury suffered in Week 2.
A mobile Herbert means a more effective Herbert.
“The healthier he gets, the bigger the playbook expands,” Roman said.
Herbert looked more like his old self during the Chargers’ victory over the Broncos, moving around the pocket effortlessly. He didn’t look like the stationary target he was for onrushing defenders as in losses to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 3 and the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 4.
In fact, Herbert set season highs with 21 completions on 34 attempts for 237 yards against Denver. He threw one touchdown pass and did not throw an interception. Overall, Herbert has completed 64% of his passes for 815 yards with six touchdowns and one interception in five games this season.
What’s more, Herbert connected with nine different receivers during the Chargers’ victory over the Broncos, hitting Ladd McConkey and Will Disley four times each. Herbert also hit rookie running back Kimani Vidal for a 38-yard touchdown pass play, Vidal’s first catch and touchdown of his career.
“It holds defenses accountable to all parts of the field,” Herbert said of spreading the wealth. “It’s not just the first read. It’s not just the same guy on third down. It’s being able to spread the ball around and making them defend the entire field, and to have guys like that step in … it’s important for our offense.”
PLAYBOOK (PART 2)
Roman has said several times over the past few weeks that the Chargers are only “scratching the surface” of what they can accomplish with Herbert at full strength and the rest of the offense clicking at peak efficiency. After all, they rank near the bottom of the league in many offensive categories.
Through their first five games, the Chargers are 26th in points per game (18.2), 28th in yards per game (281), 29th in passing yards per game (153.2) and 25th in yards per play (4.81). However, they are 10th in rushing yards per game (127.8). Roman believes they can do better.
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Much better.
Perhaps most alarming is the fact that the Chargers haven’t scored a second-half touchdown since Week 1. To be sure, they held commanding leads over the Carolina Panthers in Week 2 and the Broncos in Week 6, and so the goal wasn’t running up the score but controlling the game by controlling the clock.
“I look at it like we’ve got to execute better, we’ve got to do better in the second half,” Roman said. “We want points, points, points, you know? We’re always looking for points. We’re not there yet. We’re scratching the surface. We’ve got to finish things better. There were opportunities last week.
“We’ve got to focus and finish, focus and finish.”
INJURY REPORT
Outside linebacker Joey Bosa (hip), cornerback Kristian Fulton (hamstring), tight end Hayden Hurst (groin), wide receiver Quentin Johnston (ankle) and defensive back Deane Leonard (hamstring) did not practice Friday. McConkey (hip) and fellow wide receiver DJ Chark (groin), right guard Trey Pipkins III (shoulder) and cornerback Ja’Sir Taylor (fibula) were listed as limited participants.