Nick Canepa’s report card: Chargers QB, receivers fail test in loss to Giants

Nick Canepa grades the Chargers following Sunday’s 21-18 loss to the Giants:

Quarterbacks: F+

Justin Herbert started slowly and didn’t get really good. Found himself in a 10-0 hole with his O-line in shambles. Herbert did have a 23-yard run, but had a pass picked by D-lineman Leonard Williams and returned to the Chargers’ 3. He threw a pretty TD pass to Quentin Johnston at the end of the half, but then threw a horrible third-quarter pick that led to a long return and a touchdown. Horrendous loss. Maybe his worst.

Running backs: A

Running was an afterthought at the start — the Chargers called four first-half runs — and injuries to the O-line made it harder. But rookie Omarion Hampton ran well and caught well, had an amazing 18-yard run, and then a 52-yard TD run that got them back in it. Then he ran for a huge first down.

Receivers: F

Johnston continues to improve, especially as a deep threat. Keenan Allen caught the first pass of the day. Open Ladd McConkey uncharacteristically dropped Herbert’s second pass, leading to a punt and a Giants TD. McConkey later had another drop, plus an illegal block. Rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden is a find. Little separation all day.

Offensive line: N (for nightmare)

Stunk. Much-needed guard Mekhi Becton sat it out after failing the NFL’s concussion protocol. His replacement, Jamaree Salyer, moved on the first play. Zion Johnson, the veteran, had good and bad moments. Joe Alt, their best, limped off early with an injury left the field on a cart. He was replaced by Austin “Who Am I?” Deculus.

Defensive line: D-

The Giants had to have spotted something, because the D-line was manhandled early and rookie QB Jaxson Dart ran like Michael Vick. So many errors, physical and mental.

Linebackers: C

No pressure early on a rookie quarterback until Tuli Tuipulotu got a sack. Tuipulotu had three more sacks and a tackle-for-loss. Caleb Murphy split a sack with Derwin James.

Secondary: F+

Alohi Gilman had a monster pass defense in the end zone near the end. Tarheeb Still had a PI on Dart’s first throw. Cam Hart returned from his absence and had a superb tackle near the goal line to force a field goal. Donte Jackson had a goal-line PI that wasn’t.

Special teams: B-

Top return man Derius Davis was in the nurse’s office with a knee and was replaced by committee. JK Scott punted superbly until an important shank to midfield. Cameron Dicker The Kicker opened his side’s scoring with a 43-yard FG.

Coaching: F

Now down three first-round picks on his offensive line — at least one for the season — Jim Harbaugh has to find a way to get by. Couldn’t do it in New York. Why Harbaugh took so long to run the ball — which is his game —  may be revealed in his memoirs.

Next opportunity — vs. Washington Commanders: F

Washington is five, maybe 10 times better than the Giants — if QB Jayden Daniels plays.