Chargers' Jim Harbaugh Critiques Referees Over Hits on Justin Herbert
Jim Harbaugh expressed dissatisfaction with the officiating during the Sunday night game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers. Despite Justin Herbert's resilience, Harbaugh is concerned about how often his quarterback was subjected to dangerous hits.
Herbert’s Challenging Game
Herbert faced significant pressure behind a struggling Chargers offensive line and endured several rough tackles. One notable incident involved a hip-drop tackle causing a right ankle injury scare. Although Herbert quickly recovered, this raised concerns about the protection he receives on the field.
Harbaugh’s Subtle Criticism of Referees
While Harbaugh did not openly criticize the referees, his comments implied disappointment in their failure to penalize hits that typically qualify as roughing the passer.
"There were quite a few hits on Herbert that normally would be called for roughing the passer."
He chose a politically cautious approach to avoid league penalties but made it clear he expects better protection for his quarterback.
The Bigger Issues
- The Chargers’ offensive line performance needs improvement to reduce pressure on Herbert.
- Referees must also be more vigilant in protecting quarterbacks from dangerous tackles.
Conclusion
Harbaugh’s message underscores a growing concern that the referees’ lax enforcement could jeopardize player safety, especially quarterbacks like Herbert facing repeated abuse on the field.
"He's not happy that his quarterback was put in danger and the refs did nothing to curtail it."
Author’s summary: Jim Harbaugh subtly criticized referees for not adequately protecting Justin Herbert from dangerous hits, highlighting safety concerns amid offensive line struggles.