The sequence took place in the second quarter of Sunday night’s game between Pittsburgh and Los Angeles. And the first big success didn’t involve Herbert. In this one, Steelers cornerback James Pierre picked up Chargers receiver Derius Davis and his body slammed into him and finished him off.
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Pierre grabbed Davis by the thighs, lifted him off the ground, and slammed him head first into the grass. Davis landed on his shoulder and side and appeared to escape injury.
Pierre was not penalized for his body shot.
A few plays later, Herbert took off running under pressure. Two Steelers defenders chased him down and tackled him from behind, and Herbert’s left ankle sprained on the turf.
Herbert limped off the play, but remained in the game.
Later on the same series, Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith hit Herbert near his knees after Herbert fumbled the ball. At the same time, safety Kyle Dugger hit Herbert high and Herbert’s right ankle was sprained.
Herbert immediately begged the officials to give him a flag.
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Harbaugh addressed Herbert’s case from the sidelines with some encouraging words toward officials. It was in vain. The referees did not throw a flag and the Chargers settled for a field goal after a failed third down and 10 on their next play.
NBC officiating analyst Terry McAuley sided with the referees and explained the lack of a flag from his perspective:
“It’s not (going down),” McAuley said of the hit. “It hits him, it wraps him up high and lands on his leg. That’s not a foul for roughing the passer.”
The video of the hit is above. You can be the judge.
Although Herbert was affected by the sequence, he did not leave the game. Herbert spent part of the next possession taping both ankles and then returned to the game for the Chargers’ next possession.