Justin Herbert and Chargers fail to win away loss against Steelers

Two years ago he played despite a broken rib cartilage and last year despite a broken left finger. But Justin Herbert was still unable to play.

The Chargers' dream start turned into a nightmare when their star quarterback re-injured his right ankle in a 20-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers (3-0) on Sunday in front of 66,734 spectators at Acrisure Stadium.

The Chargers (2-1) put their undefeated record to the test against their first playoff opponent from last season, leaving Pittsburgh battered and with serious injuries on both sides of the ball.

“Not every game will have a fairytale ending,” coach Jim Harbaugh said.

Worse than the loss of a glass boot for the Chargers was the loss of a walking boot. Herbert left the arena with a gray protective boot on his right foot after being sacked twice while throwing for 125 yards and a touchdown on 12 of 18 passing before Taylor Heinicke came in as a replacement.

Herbert said his ankle was X-rayed and he will await further tests this week in hopes of playing against the Kansas City Chiefs next week at SoFi Stadium.

Harbaugh had no updates on the injuries to left tackle Rashawn Slater (pec) and edge rusher Joey Bosa (hip). Bosa was injured on the first defensive play of the game.

Chargers linebacker Joey Bosa after the first defensive play against the Steelers.

(Matt Freed/Associated Press)

Herbert first sustained the right ankle injury in last week's win over the Carolina Panthers. After missing two of three days of practice this week, the former Oregon Ducks star said he felt better during Saturday's walk-through.

Harbaugh saw how much better his quarterback was moving and felt that Herbert was at least able to protect himself on the field, which gave him enough confidence to give Herbert a test of his own during warmups on Sunday.

But they agreed that Harbaugh would make a change at the first sign of trouble.

“Warriors,” Harbaugh said, “give them a chance.”

Herbert completed nine consecutive passes to start the game and the Chargers held a 10-7 lead at halftime. However, Herbert felt the discomfort in his ankle worsen as the game went on.

After avoiding major hits in the first half, Herbert was swallowed up by Nick Herbig on a strip sack on the second play of the second drive in the third quarter.

Slater, one of the league's best offensive players, was injured on the play recovering the fumble. Behind a ragtag offensive line that featured right guard Trey Pipkins III at left tackle and backup Jamaree Salyer at guard, Herbert was sacked again early in the next drive.

Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) is sacked by Steelers linebacker Elandon Roberts with help from Cameron Heyward (97).

(Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press)

As he rose from the ground, Herbert knew he could not go on.

“My responsibility as a quarterback is to do everything I can for this team and my teammates, and I felt like I did that,” Herbert said. “It was tough for me to run on, move on and push off of, and I knew Taylor gave us a better chance to win.”

Heinicke completed both of his pass attempts for 24 yards, including an 18-yard pass on third-and-two in the fourth quarter, but was sacked three times. The Steelers held the Chargers to minus-five yards on offense in the second half. The running game was quiet, as the NFL's best runner, JK Dobbins, managed just 44 yards on 15 attempts.

“It's hard to move the ball against these guys,” said Heinicke, who learned the playbook in three weeks to replace backup Easton Stick after he joined the team in a trade after training camp. “You have to be perfect. You can't get injured.”

Quarterback Taylor Heinicke (8), here handing the ball off to running back Gus Edwards, made his first appearance as a Charger.

(Matt Freed/Associated Press)

The Chargers' defense, which shined in the first two wins, faltered against the Steelers, who managed 234 yards in the second half, with 100 of their 114 rushing yards coming after the halftime break. Missed tackles lengthened plays. Immediately after Herbert left the field, with the offense hoping for help in a 10-10 game, the defense dug an even deeper hole by committing three penalties on the same drive.

An unnecessary roughness penalty on Derwin James Jr., rough play on Khalil Mack and defensive holding on Asante Samuel Jr. all occurred on third down attempts. The Steelers converted the errors into a field goal run and took the lead.

“It was like a triple whammy,” James said. “We just have to be clean.”

Steelers quarterback Justin Fields sealed the win with a 55-yard touchdown pass to Calvin Austin III with 7:02 left. Fields, who came to the Steelers after a rocky time as a former first-round draft pick of the Chicago Bears, threw for 245 yards and a touchdown on 25 of 32 passing and scored a touchdown on a five-yard touchdown run.

Despite his noticeable limp, Herbert still walked to the halfway line after the game to greet Fields. Herbert then slowly walked across the field and up the tunnel, giving a fan a high-five along the way.