Justin Herbert isn’t worrying about blindside protection in showdown vs. Chiefs
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The Chargers have a chance to take over first place in their division, a chance to move up on the No. 3 seed in their conference, a chance to sweep the regular-season series from Kansas City.
What they won’t have Thursday night at SoFi Stadium is just as significant: standout rookie left tackle Rashawn Slater, who remains on the COVID-19 reserve list.
So the Chargers will play their most important game yet this season with little-used backup Trey Pipkins III protecting Justin Herbert’s blindside.
While praising Pipkins’ potential and preparation, Herbert offered the most fitting view of the Slater situation.
“You can’t worry about that,” he said, “because the Chiefs don’t care whether he’s out there or not.”
No, they most certainly do not care. Just like the Chargers aren’t going to fret if Chris Jones is unavailable. Kansas City’s two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle also is on the COVID list, one report Wednesday saying he, too, will be out.
This game is going to happen anyway, and all the resulting fallout will be real. The winner controls first place in the AFC West with three games to go. A loss likely would leave the Chargers competing for a wild-card spot.
“We know that it’s a great [opportunity] on Thursday night football in front of the entire world,” Chargers coach Brandon Staley said. “That’s exciting. But that’s more external. What’s internal is the Kansas City Chiefs.”
The Chargers won the first meeting between these teams in September 30-24, scoring the deciding touchdown in the final minute. That game was nearly three months ago, and both teams have gone through plenty since.
After opening the season 4-1, the Chargers lost three of four games before rediscovering their way over the last four weeks. The Chiefs lost four of their first seven but have since won six in a row.
Said Staley: “3-4 went to 9-4 pretty fast, and that’s because of what they’re capable of. I think you’re seeing the full version of that team.”
