The receivers were the Chargers’ biggest concern entering the season. They’re still the biggest concern approaching the mid-way point.
Down top pass-catching options Monday in Quentin Johnston (ankle), Derius Davis (hamstring), D.J. Chark Jr. (groin), the Chargers turned tight end Will Dissly into a leading receiver. The tight end who is more known for his run-blocking ability was targeted 11 times, finishing with a career-high eight catches for 81 yards.
“Will was balling,” head coach Jim Harbaugh said.
But Dissly still dropped multiple passes, as did several teammates. The miscues became especially costly late as the Chargers got inside the Cardinals’ 30-yard line three times in the second half to only kick field goals each time.
The receivers sat together in a tight group in the locker room after the game addressing some of their struggles supporting quarterback Justin Herbert.
“I think just for us, being a friendly receiving option, or really any receiving option for Justin is huge,” said Simi Fehoko, who has five catches for 89 yards in the past two games, which is more than he’s had in any of his previous NFL seasons.
The running game was almost nonexistent Monday, finishing with 59 yards on 22 carries. The Chargers (3-3) have rushed for at least 128 yards in each of their three wins while failing to crack 62 in any of their three losses.
“We got to get J.K. [Dobbins] a seam and let him hit some of those long runs,” center Bradley Bozeman said. “He’s a great runner, and we didn’t do that today.”
With a rotating cast of receivers and a dormant run game, Herbert still threw for a season-best 349 yards. It was his 26th career 300-yard game, tying him with Dan Marino and Andrew Luck for the fourth-most by any player through their five pro seasons, but, according to Opta Stats, he became the first NFL quarterback to throw for as many yards as he did Monday and earn a 97.1 passer rating while failing to score an offensive touchdown in a loss.
