Chargers' Herbert bruised and battered in loss

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert was left to walk gingerly into the trainer's room inside Arrowhead Stadium, his left arm held tightly to his battered ribs, after Los Angeles blew a 10-point halftime lead and lost 27-24 to the AFC West-rival Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday night.

Herbert was expected to get X-rays after getting crushed by Chiefs defensive end Mike Danna midway through the fourth quarter, but Chargers coach Brandon Staley was quick to say he thought his Pro Bowl quarterback would be OK.

Herbert only missed on play after the hit before gamely trying to rally his team to victory.

“It was just a tough NFL game and he took some big hits. None of those big hits had any impact on him bringing his team back the way he always does,” Staley said. “I think that we're going to learn a lot more tomorrow, but I think in that area of losing his wind and (an injury) in that area of his body.”

Asked whether he was concerned about Herbert going forward, Staley replied: “No, because he's Justin Herbert.”

Herbert and the Chargers got off to a good start, building an early 10-0 lead, and the game was still tied when Herbert was intercepted by Jaylen Watson near the Kansas City goal line early in the fourth quarter. Watson took the pick 99 yards the other direction for a touchdown that gave Kansas City a 24-17 lead — its first of the night.

After the teams swapped punts, Herbert was trying to unload a pass to tight end Gerald Everett when Danna came free up the middle and landed on his ribs. Herbert remained on the ground for about a minute while trainers tended to him, then he left the game for a play before telling Staley on the sideline that he was OK to continue.

“I just turned around and saw him