Hobbled Justin Herbert could be a sitting duck for Steelers' defense in Week 3

When the Pittsburgh Steelers take the field this Sunday to host the Los Angeles Chargers, it will be a clash of the NFL's top two scoring defenses entering Week 3. Though we don't know exactly what these defenses will look like in December, they have each been good enough to give a masterclass course on keeping teams out of the endzone early in the season.

The last time the Steelers met the Chargers, Pittsburgh's defense didn't show up to play. Quarterback Justin Herbert lit up the scoreboard as he led his offense to 41 points and a victory.

In his game against Pittsburgh in 2021, the talented quarterback completed 30 of 41 passes for 382 yards for three touchdowns and an interception. Herbert made things look easy -- averaging 9.3 yards per attempt and stringing together an outstanding 116.1 passer rating. The Steelers hope for better results this time around.

Pittsburgh may get their wish.

In the Chargers' Week 2 thumping over the Panthers, Herbert went down with an injury scare after getting his right leg rolled up on in the third quarter. Though he would finish out the contest, he later had his leg examined. X-rays were negative, but that doesn't rule out the possibility of soft tissue damage.

Even if this is just a mild spain for Herbert, it could be enough to give Pittsburgh's defense an edge.

Steelers defense could keep Justin Herbert in check

At 6'6'' and 236 pounds, Justin Herbert is one of the biggest starting quarterbacks in the NFL, and passing from the pocket has never been an issue. However, what makes him so lethal is his ability to maneuver within the pocket and even take off with the football when the situation calls for it. Herbert carried the ball 224 times in his first four seasons and has 10 carries in his first two games of 2024.

Unfortunately for the Chargers, passing the football has been the issue this year. Herbert has fewer than 145 passing yards in each of his first two contests this year while currently averaging a career-low of six yards per attempt.

If Herbert's ability to extend the play is impeded by his lower leg injury, Steelers defenders will be able to get after him more frequently. Herbert has only taken two sacks in as many games, but that could change against Pittsburgh in Week 3. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh's defense has four sacks entering Week 3 (and two additional sacks from T.J. Watt were wiped away by penalties in Week 1).

Fortunately for Herbert, the Chargers have an incredible pair of offensive tackles in Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt who could keep edge rushers Alex Highsmith and T.J. Watt at bay.

Still, in a game that is expected to feature the rushing attack and stellar defenses, even a slightly hobbled Justin Herbert could be a sitting duck for Pittsburgh's defense.