Quentin Johnston, the Chargers' 2023 first-round pick, only appeared in the box score for all the wrong reasons in his team's 30-23 “Monday Night Football” loss to the Ravens.
Zero catches, zero yards, five scores.
Johnston had three drops in the fourth quarter, which included a wide-open one on third down that would extend the drive with the Chargers trailing, 23-16.
This drop, in particular, was a backbreaker. Johnston took his eyes off the ball on a third-and-6 play, and had at least 10 yards to run with a blocker up front for a potentially huge gain.
The Chargers then punted and the Ravens marched straight down the field to score a touchdown, essentially putting the game out of reach.
The loss dropped Los Angeles to 7-4 in Jim Harbaugh's first season.
Johnston then also knocked down two punts on the next drive, as he also appeared to have issues coming out of his turn.
Harbaugh downplayed Johnston's drops.
“I think we all have some things we wish we could do and practice better,” Harbaugh said after the game. “This is how I feel. This is my reaction.”
Quarterback Justin Herbert also gave Johnston a pledge of support despite the poor performance.
“I think that's the tough part about the NFL. He's a playmaker. He's done a great job all year. You never want to see that,” Herbert said. “He's a fighter. You trust him. I will keep throwing the ball to him. That's what we did there.
“Unfortunately, things didn't go our way tonight. But I know he's going to be the first one in the building, and he's going to do everything the right way. He's a really great teammate, a great guy. He's going to go make some plays. He's still got a lot of good football ahead of him.”
The sophomore player from TCU has made some strides after a nightmare rookie season in which he struggled to even crack the lineup with former coach Brandon Staley at the helm and also suffered some costly declines.
Harbaugh has embraced the No. 21 overall pick since entering his new role.
“[Johnston is] “One of the best players we have right now,” Harbaugh said at July training camp. “[I] I just think he's got a bad reputation…it's going to be a problem. He will become a problem for people. “I felt nothing but happiness with Quentin Johnston.”
Johnston roasted Michigan as a huge underdog in the 2022 College Football Playoff semifinals when Harbaugh was the Wolverines' coach, racking up 163 yards and a touchdown in TCU's win.
Johnston has played in nine games this season, catching six touchdowns to go with 354 receiving yards and 22 receptions this season.
