Jim Harbaugh has apologised for a costly fourth-down call and insisted he and the Chargers’ owners are “in this fight together” after Los Angeles slumped to its first 0-5 start since 2003.
Speaking on Monday (US time), a day after the 23-17 home loss to the Denver Broncos, Harbaugh said he still regretted his fourth-down decisions late in the game, ESPN reported.
“I still feel like those two fourth-down decisions, especially the one fourth-down decision, did not put our team in the best chance to win that game,” Harbaugh said. “I regret that. I’m even sorry about that. I don’t say I’m sorry unless I think I’m wrong about something and I sincerely think I was.”
ESPN said the Broncos scored five plays after the failed fourth-and-1 in the fourth quarter to tie the game. Justin Herbert then turned the ball over on the Chargers’ next two possessions, and a sack ended their final drive as Denver scored on three straight drives to win.
“Shoulder to shoulder” with ownership
Asked whether he felt pressure from ownership, Harbaugh said: “John Spanos, Dean Spanos, Susie Spanos, the whole Spanos family. It’s shoulder to shoulder where we’re in this fight together.”
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The Chargers came into the season off back-to-back 11-6 campaigns. Dating back to last season they have now lost eight games in a row, the longest losing streak of Harbaugh’s head-coaching career in college or the NFL, according to ESPN Research.
Herbert has thrown a league-high eight interceptions, but Harbaugh backed his quarterback. “The way [Herbert] competes, it’s like few others I’ve ever seen,” he said.
Injuries pile up
Tackle Joe Alt is still undergoing testing on a neck injury and left guard Kayode Awosika is rehabbing a fibula injury, with four rookies starting on the offensive line against Denver. Receiver Tre’ Harris is now week-to-week with a hamstring injury, while Ladd McConkey suited up after missing a week of practice with a foot injury but did not play, with Harbaugh describing him as “an emergency situation”.
It doesn’t get easier: the Chargers travel to face the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs next, needing a win to avoid falling to 0-6.
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