Saints defensive lineman Nathan Shepherd took a cheap shot at Justin Herbert, and Chargers center Bradley Bozeman wasn’t having it.
With Los Angeles driving midway through the second quarter during Sunday’s 26-8 victory against New Orleans, Herbert threw a screen pass to running back J.K. Dobbins. As Herbert released the ball, Shepherd dove low at Herbert and wrapped up his right ankle. He continued to hold on to Herbert’s lower leg long after Herbert released the ball, then twisted his knee and dragged him to the ground.
Once Herbert was on the ground, Shepherd rolled over and continued to twist Herbert’s knee. It was a dirty play that easily could have ended Herbert’s season. Fortunately, Herbert appeared to avoid injury and remained in the game.
Bozeman was heated and immediately came to his quarterback’s defense. He dove on top of Shepherd to knock him off of Herbert. He then looked ready to inflict some punishment of his own before Herbert helped an official drag him off of Shepherd.
After it was all done, officials threw a pair of penalty flags. Shepherd was flagged for unnecessary roughness for the cheap shot on Herbert. Bozeman was flagged for unnecessary roughness for protecting his quarterback — an offsetting penalty that doesn’t quite seem fair.
Shepherd recklessly and unnecessarily put Herbert’s health at risk. Bozeman did what was needed to protect his quarterback from Shepherd.
Per the officials’ enforcement of the rules, each of those infractions are the same in the NFL’s eyes.