Chargers unable to contain rookie QB Jaxson Dart, lose to Giants

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Justin Herbert couldn’t rally the Chargers behind a patchwork offensive line and they dropped a 21-18 decision to rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart and the New York Giants on Sunday at MetLife Stadium. Herbert was under constant pressure as the Chargers lost their first of the season.

Dart injected some much-needed energy into the Giants, who started the season 0-3. The Chargers were kept off balance by Dart’s quick passes and a steady, effective running game and failed to match the 4-0 start by the 2002 team. They went into the game as 6½-point favorites.

The Chargers trailed 13-10 by halftime, and given their lackluster start to the game, it could have been far worse. Trailing by 13-3 with less than two minutes left in the half, they finally showed some life with a 75-yard drive, capped by Herbert’s 36-yard touchdown pass to Quentin Johnston.

New York suffered a key loss when wide receiver Malik Nabers was carted from the field because of an apparent knee injury. He collapsed onto the field after attempting to catch a long pass along the right sideline from Dart on a 2nd-and-15 play with 6:12 remaining in the first half.

Dart’s first drive as an NFL starter resulted in a 15-yard run for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead for the Giants only 5:40 into the game. Jude McAtamney kicked field goals of 22 and 31 yards. Cameron Dicker countered with a 43-yard field goal for the Chargers, who trailed at halftime for the first time this season.

The Chargers’ makeshift offensive line took another hit when left tackle Joe Alt suffered an ankle injury in the first half and was ruled out for the rest of the game. They were already without right guard Mekhi Becton, who was sidelined by a concussion sustained last week against the Denver Broncos.

The teams traded touchdowns and 2-point conversions in the third quarter.

Dart connected with tight end Theo Johnson on a 3-yard score with Cam Skattebo running for the 2-point conversion and then Chargers running back Omarion Hampton ran 54 yards for a touchdown with Herbert running for the conversion. The Giants led 21-18 entering in the fourth.

More to come on this story. 

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