One of the more stunning aspects of Week 2 of the 2020 NFL season was the sudden debut of rookie quarterback Justin Herbert for the Los Angeles Chargers. Veteran starter Tyrod Taylor experienced chest pain prior to kickoff, which allegedly resulted as a side effect from a pain injection he received before the game, and was taken to a hospital for observation.
That forced Anthony Lynn to turn to the rookie on short notice, against the defending Super Bowl Champions.
Welcome to the NFL, rook.
Herbert acclimated himself rather well to the league, throwing for 311 yards and a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs and staking the Chargers to a lead into the second half. Of course, Patrick Mahomes did some Patrick Mahomes things, and the Chiefs ultimately won in overtime. And while the debut was not without the head-scratching rookie mistake – never throw late over the middle – Herbert did make some impressive reads and throws.
This video breakdown walks you throw two of his most impressive moments from Sunday:
Justin Herbert was pressed into action on Sunday afternoon. I liked what I saw.
*Pocket movement
*Post-snap reading the defense
*Placement under pressure
*Attacking the middle of the field pic.twitter.com/M9jSNIsznm— Mark Schofield (@MarkSchofield) September 21, 2020
Lynn stated on Monday that if Taylor is healthy, he is the starter for the Chargers in Week 3. However, with plays like this under his belt, Herbert certainly looks like the future.