Yet again, Russell Wilson walked away from a Denver Broncos defeat with injury added to insult.
Wilson suffered a hamstring injury during the Broncos' Monday night loss to the host Los Angeles Chargers, Denver head coach Nathaniel Hackett announced after the game.
Hackett did not offer any specifics or if there was a concern regarding Wilson's availability going forward. Wilson didn't offer much more detail, but said he was injured in the fourth quarter.
"I got my hammy, I kinda scrambled and moved around on one, I had to throw it away. It got me pretty good in the fourth quarter," Wilson said. "Just tried to play through it and all that. I felt good moving around, running around, throwing it and everything else, especially early on and then that happened. So that was a little unfortunate, but, ya know, trying to find a way to win a game."
The Broncos lost their third straight game to fall to 2-4. Wilson was outstanding at the onset, completing his first 10 passes, including a 39-yard touchdown to rookie Greg Dulcich. However, he ended the day 15 of 28 for 188 yards.
After a Week 5 loss against the Indianapolis Colts, Wilson required a procedure near his throwing shoulder aimed at relieving some discomfort. He was seen during Monday's game with his shoulder wrapped.
It seems the injuries are mounting right along with the losses.
2022 NFL season, Week 6: What We Learned from Chargers' win over Broncos on Monday
INGLEWOOD, California -- The Los Angeles Chargers' sideline erupted in jubilation following two special plays by a history-plagued special teams unit.
With 4:58 remaining in overtime, the Bolts recovered a muffed punt on the Denver Broncos' 28-yard line. Then, four plays later, kicker Dustin Hopkins -- playing through a right hamstring injury -- knocked down a 39-yard field goal to give the Chargers a 19-16 win at SoFi Stadium.
With the win, the Bolts improve to 4-2 -- keeping them in the thick of the race for the AFC West, while proving that they can come up clutch.
Last Sunday, the Chargers were gifted a victory from the Cleveland Browns when kicker Cade York missed a potential game-winning 54-yard field goal.
On Monday Night Football, the Chargers left no doubt that they could win on their terms.
QB breakdown: Justin Herbert and the Bolts' offense struggled to find a rhythm against a fast and physical defense. Herbert completed 37 of 57 passes for 238 yards with an interception.
Through regulation, Herbert averaged 2.2 air yards on his completions, below his previous career low of 2.7.
Cornerback Pat Surtain II effectively eliminated go-to target wide receiver Mike Williams, who finished with two catches for 17 yards -- including a clutch 9-yard reception in overtime to set up the game-winning field goal.
Herbert's lone touchdown drive came in the first quarter, when he put together a seven-play, 84-yard drive that resulted in Austin Ekeler rushing 6 yards for a score to put the Bolts on the board, 10-7.
In the fourth quarter, on first-and-10 from his own 17-yard line, Herbert had a pass intercepted that was intended for Gerald Everett -- his second interception of the season when targeting his new tight end.
Herbert, who was sacked twice, is continuing to play through fractured rib cartilage, about which he said earlier this week, "I think it's getting better. I think time is probably the best help."
Troubling trend: Cornerback J.C. Jackson not playing to standard after signing a five-year, $82.5 million contract in free agency.
Jackson could only watch, on an apparent blown assignment, as tight end Greg Dulcich sprinted by for a 39-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter to give the Broncos a 10-0 lead. A fifth-year pro, Jackson played four seasons in New England, where he led the NFL in interceptions (25) since 2018.
Jackson awaits his first pick as a Charger, and it's unclear exactly what has caused his slow start to the season, whether it's learning a new scheme or coming back from ankle surgery performed in late August.
Buy on a breakout performance: After spending most of the 2021 season on the sideline following ankle surgery, edge rusher Khalil Mack is proving in his ninth NFL season that he has plenty remaining in the tank.
Mack acknowledged entering Monday night that it is no fun chasing around Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson, yet he kept constant pressure on Wilson, sacking him once, and also batted down a pass.
Mack ranks second in the NFL, tied with six other players, with six sacks. The Chargers sacked Wilson four times. -- Lindsey Thiry
Underrated statistic to know: Herbert threw zero touchdowns on 57 passes Monday. It's the second time this season a player threw at least 57 passes without a touchdown (Kyler Murray).
Next game: vs. Seahawks (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday)
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