NFL Makes Punishment Decision After Justin Herbert Incident

Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect

NFL Makes Punishment Decision After Justin Herbert Incident

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Yagya Bhargava | Last updated Oct 10, 2026 5:32 PM ET

Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers are still hunting for their first win of the season, and four weeks in, the punishment keeps landing on the quarterback more than anyone else on the roster.

The Chargers have struggled to protect their franchise passer behind an offensive line already missing starters, and the toll showed up again in a 30-23 loss to the Seattle Seahawks that turned into a league matter of its own.

The NFL spent the days afterward reviewing that contact, and the findings are now official punishment for the opposing sideline. The Chargers quarterback nearly pulled off a remarkable comeback before it slipped away, completing 19 of 31 passes for 189 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions, the first of which came on the opening snap.

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert.Mark Konezny-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect

Herbert clawed back from a three-touchdown hole before a sack-fumble with a minute left sealed Seattle’s win.

Now, the decision is official. The NFL has fined Seattle pass rusher DeMarcus Lawrence $17,911 for the low hit he put on Herbert early in the fourth quarter.

Lawrence appeared to bring the quarterback down for a sack, but officials flagged him for roughing the passer, a call the league prioritizes on hits at or below the knees, wiping out the sack and handing the Chargers 15 yards.

It is becoming a pattern for Herbert, who has drawn fines against defenders in back-to-back weeks. Buffalo’s Bradley Chubb drew the same $17,911 penalty in the Bills’ 24-16 win in Week 3, and Lawrence had already been fined $17,111 for a hit on Washington quarterback Marcus Mariota the week before.

The protection in front of him keeps thinning out, too. Rashawn Slater landed on injured reserve with an ankle injury, Joe Alt is out with a neck issue and Trevor Penning remains unavailable after a concussion.

The Chargers will host the 2-2 Denver Broncos on Sunday, Oct. 11, at SoFi Stadium, with kickoff set for 4:05 p.m. ET.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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