As the Chargers make a late season playoff push, questions have arisen about both the health and play of Justin Herbert. With Jim Harbaugh’s comments, he may have started putting any concerns to rest.
In every game the Chargers have played over the past two weeks, he has thrown an interception in. In fact, this season, Herbert has thrown the most interceptions in a single season in his career with 12. While the Chargers won all three of those games, the pressure will continue to mount for Herbert and Co. down the stretch, especially with more tough opponents on the docket.
Still, Harbaugh’s defense of Herbert shows the belief and trust he has in the young QB, despite the countless injuries and turnover woes that have befallen him. In fact, to further assess Herbert’s struggles and growth, he used a golfing analogy, specifically concerning Tiger Woods. “Keep attacking. Keep letting it rip,” Harbaugh said. “If you were Tiger Woods and you hit one in the water, take another one out of your pocket, put it on the ground, and let it rip.”
Harbaugh’s Unwavering Confidence in His Quarterback
As the team tries to make a playoff push, it is critical that Harbaugh keeps on praising his young quarterback. Ahead of what could potentially be a trap game for the Chargers against the already eliminated Dallas Cowboys, Harbaugh is trying to keep the positive spirit alive and well in his team.
This also follows a certain pattern of support Harbaugh has displayed for Herbert throughout his struggles with the hand injury. After Herbert underwent surgery for example, Harbaugh had this simple assessment: “I do have an update on his physical status: He is still a beast.”
Even more so, despite the statistical struggles Herbert faced in the Chargers’ win over the Chiefs, Harbaugh highlighted some of Herbert’s most impressive plays, including a 27 yard strike to Oronde Gadsden after Herbert had escaped a sure sack.
““The throw that Justin made to Oronde Gadsden, that play, it’s limited to the very best in the game that are able to do that,” Harbaugh said.
Herbert’s Resilience Amid Injuries and Expectations
Herbert himself is no stranger to success. He has always seemingly taken the backseat to guys such as Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and even fellow draft class member Joe Burrow. Still, in his sixth NFL season, everything seems to be coming together for him at the right time. Even with a hand injury, he somehow managed to beat both Jalen Hurts and Patrick Mahomes in a six day span.
Even addressing the injury concerns, Herbert was cool, calm, and collected.
“I think it’s getting better. I had a much better grip on the ball,” Herbert said on Sunday. “I didn’t really take any snaps from under center this week but I didn’t really feel like I needed to, and it wasn’t going to be a concern. I went out and felt better and as long as we’re going in the right direction, I think that’s a good thing.”
Hopefully, all of these things can extend into the postseason.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Jim Harbaugh Backs Herbert During Tough Playoff Push appeared first on Heavy Sports.
