Struggles Continue for Los Angeles Chargers and Justin Herbert

The Los Angeles Chargers are facing a challenging 2026 season, as evidenced by their recent 44-22 loss to the Houston Texans. This defeat drops the team’s record to 0-8. Quarterback Justin Herbert has been under pressure throughout the season, and Sunday’s game highlighted significant issues.

Herbert faced relentless opposition from the Texans, being sacked eight times. This is the highest number of sacks he has faced in a single game so far in his career. The Chargers haven’t experienced this level of quarterback pressure since October 17, 1976, when Dan Fouts was also sacked eight times against the Houston Oilers, according to ESPN Insights.

Currently, Herbert has been sacked 31 times this season, ranking second only to Deshaun Watson of the Cleveland Browns, who has been sacked 33 times. Herbert also continues to struggle with interceptions. He has thrown at least one interception in each of the Chargers’ eight games this season. This marks the longest streak since Peyton Manning in 2015, who threw interceptions in the first nine games of that season. Herbert leads the league this season with 11 interceptions.

During the fourth quarter, Herbert injured his left middle finger when sacked by Logan Hall. He had surgery on his left hand last season. Despite the pain, Herbert stayed in the game long enough to connect with Quentin Johnson on a 58-yard touchdown pass. This ended a stretch of 38 possessions without a touchdown for the Chargers, who hadn’t scored a touchdown in nearly a month.

Herbert did not participate in the next drive and was seen wearing a glove on his left hand. While Herbert downplayed the injury’s severity, hinting it shouldn’t pose a problem, coach Jim Harbaugh showed concern about a possible fracture. More information will likely become available soon.

The Chargers, struggling to turn their season around, may need to reassess their strategy. The chemistry between Herbert and new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel appears lacking, raising questions about McDaniel’s role moving forward. Coach Harbaugh might need to evaluate McDaniel’s impact on the team.