In a bit of a late-afternoon surprise, the Los Angeles Chargers opened their Week 2 outing against the Kansas City Chiefs with a new quarterback under center. Tyrod Taylor was out with a chest injury, and when the Chargers’ offense took the field it was rookie Justin Herbert in at quarterback.
According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, Taylor suffered a chest injury “after pregame warmups and before the kickoff:”
The chest injury to Tyrod Taylor happened after pregame warmups and before the kickoff. And now, Justin Herbert is in for the #Chargers.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 20, 2020
You might think this would create a tough opportunity for a rookie quarterback, but Herbert responded to the moment. Pressed into action he led the Chargers on a touchdown drive on their first possession, capping it off with a touchdown run of his own:
JUSTIN HERBERT FIRST NFL TD⚡️
— PFF (@PFF) September 20, 2020
Obviously there is a long way to go, but getting a win in his first start – under these circumstances – would be quite the impressive debut from the rookie quarterback.
