Chargers’ 2023 first-round decide Quentin Johnston solely confirmed up within the field rating for all of the mistaken causes in his group’s 30-23 “Monday Night time Soccer” loss to the Ravens.
Zero catches, zero yards, 5 targets.
Johnston had three fourth-quarter drops, which included a wide-open one on third down that might have prolonged a drive with the Chargers trailing, 23-16.
That drop, particularly, was the backbreaker. Johnston took his eye off the ball on a third-and-6 play, having not less than 10 yards to run with a blocker out in entrance for a probably huge acquire.
The Chargers then punted and the Ravens marched proper down the sector to attain a landing that basically put the sport out of attain.
The loss dropped Los Angeles to 7-4 in Jim Harbaugh’s first season.
Johnston then additionally dropped two balls on the following drive, as he appeared to even have points popping out of his flip.
Harbaugh downplayed Johnston’s drops.
“I believe all of us have some issues we want we performed, coached higher,” Harbaugh mentioned after the sport. “That’s how I really feel. That’s my response.”
Quarterback Justin Herbert additionally gave Johnston a vow of assist regardless of the poor exhibiting.
“I believe that’s the robust half in regards to the NFL. He’s a playmaker. He’s completed an unimaginable job all yr. You by no means need to see that,” Herbert mentioned. “He’s a fighter. You belief him. And I’m gonna hold throwing him the ball. That’s what we did on the market.
“Sadly, it didn’t go our manner tonight. However I do know he’s gonna be the primary one within the constructing, and he’s gonna do every thing the appropriate manner. He’s a really nice teammate, nice man. And he’s gonna go make some performs. He’s bought loads of good soccer left in entrance of him.”
The second-year participant out of TCU has made some strides after a nightmare rookie season the place he struggled to even crack the lineup with ex-head coach Brandon Staley on the helm and likewise had some pricey drops.
Harbaugh has embraced the No. 21 total decide since getting into his new place.
“[Johnston is] certainly one of our prime guys proper now,” Harbaugh mentioned in July coaching camp. “[I] simply suppose he bought a nasty rap … He’s gonna be an issue. He’s gonna be an issue for individuals. I’ve been nothing however proud of Quentin Johnston.”
Johnston roasted Michigan as huge underdogs within the 2022 Faculty Soccer Playoff semifinal when Harbaugh was the coach of the Wolverines, going for 163 yards and a landing in TCU’s win.
Johnston has performed in 9 video games this season, grabbing six touchdowns to go together with 354 receiving yards and 22 receptions this season.
