The Los Angeles Chargers have one of the NFL’s least productive offenses five games into the Jim Harbaugh era. And highly paid quarterback Justin Herbert is averaging just 163 passing yards per game. The Chargers will look to get the offense going again Monday night when they take on the struggling Arizona Cardinals defense in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals (2-4) are tied for 27th in defense allowing 27.2 points per game. Arizona has allowed 34 or more points three times, including last week’s 21-point loss to the Green Bay Packers. So maybe the opportunity is there for Los Angeles (3-2) to shake up its offense. The Chargers are tied for 26th in offense at 18.2 points per game and 28th in total offense at 281 yards per game in Harbaugh’s first season with the club. As for Herbert, he surpassed 200 passing yards for the first time all season when he threw for 237 in last weekend’s 23-16 road win over the Denver Broncos. The scoring output was the Chargers’ second-most of the season. “I’d like to win every game by 60 points, but it’s the NFL,” said Herbert, who has 815 yards passing this season, 28th in the league. “You have to go out there and give your best every week. We are exactly where we are right now, and we have to find a way to continue to improve and move forward.” Arizona needs to start piling up wins after a start that includes a 42-14 home loss to the Washington Commanders and a 34-13 road loss last week to Green Bay. The Cardinals fell behind 24-0 to the Packers in the first 25 minutes of the contest and then lost three fumbles in the second half to sabotage any chance of a comeback. They committed 13 penalties for 100 yards. Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray understands it’s a shaky performance but said Thursday a turnaround is possible. “I don’t think anyone has given up on what we can accomplish,” Murray said. Murray included the vow that he had “full confidence” in the players and coaches. “It’s a long season,” Murray said. “I’ve been on teams that started out great and didn’t finish where you want them to, but I also understand the mindset and the mentality we have to take every week and move forward.” Rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. suffered a concussion in the second quarter Sunday and missed the rest of the game. Harrison remains in concussion protocol and participated in non-contact drills on Thursday. Availability will be determined later this week. Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon called Harrison’s progress “really encouraging.” Harrison, the fourth overall pick in the 2024 draft, has 17 catches for team-highs of 279 yards and four touchdowns. Meanwhile, Harbaugh will wear a heart monitor during this contest after briefly leaving last week’s game against the Broncos due to an arrhythmia. This was Harbaugh’s second cardiac incident as a coach, the other dating back to 2012 with the San Francisco 49ers. Harbaugh said he passed tests performed by his cardiologist. “I received some test results. ‘An athlete’s heart’ is a direct quote from my cardiologist,” Harbaugh said Thursday. “It felt good. … Getting back into rhythm, I hope it sticks. I turned on the monitor.” Chargers star passer Joey Bosa (hip) missed practice after missing the last two games. Cornerbacks Kristian Fulton and Deane Leonard, both with hamstring injuries, also sat out for Los Angeles. So did tight end Hayden Hurst (groin) and wideout Quentin Johnston (ankle). For the Cardinals, there were offensive lineman Kelvin Beachum (hamstring), defensive lineman Darius Robinson (calf) and inside linebacker Owen Pappoe (hip). Gannon also said defensive tackle Bilal Nichols was done for the season. He suffered a blow to the neck in each of the last two games. –Field level media
