by Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh has been frustrated by the lack of passer penalties for hits on Justin Herbert this season, and the team has submitted plays to the NFL for clarification.
‘Does it sound like I’m complaining? Maybe? That could be me,” Harbaugh said, via Kris Rhim of ESPN. “I think he’s not getting some of those calls when they should be getting called.”
Officials have not penalized an opponent for an illegal hit on Herbert this season. Steelers quarterback Justin Fields leads the league with six penalties against opponents.
Herbert ranks ninth in 13 passer penalties in his five seasons.
Harbaugh said Herbert’s size works against him on drawing calls, much like it did for Basketball Hall of Fame center Shaquille O’Neal, calling it “almost Shaq-like.” Harbaugh wanted reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett to be penalized for putting his full body weight on Herbert during a 10-yard completion against Ladd McConkey early in the game.
Herbert had six sacks against the Browns on Sunday, including three by Garrett, and has 21 this season. That puts him on pace for a career-high 44.
Harbaugh admits the hits on Herbert are concerning.
“I probably think about it more than anything, and I think about a lot of things,” Harbaugh said. “His protection? His safety? There’s probably nothing I think about more than that.”
