Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) acknowledges fans after an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. (26) reacts after Houston Texans place kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn (7) missed a field goal during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Khalil Mack (52) celebrates with teammates after sacking Houston Texans quarterback Davis Mills (10) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams (81) runs against Houston Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. (24) and safety Jonathan Owens (36) after a catch during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Joshua Palmer (5) wears a Canna flag sticker on his helmet and tight end Tre’ McKitty (88) wears the Jamaica flag before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (12) pulls in a catch in front of Los Angeles Chargers cornerback J.C. Jackson (27) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga (57) wears a Nigeria flag sticker on his helmet during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler (30) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Houston Texans during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Houston Texans quarterback Davis Mills (10) is sacked by Los Angeles Chargers defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day (69) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Los Angeles Chargers defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day (69) celebrates after he sacked Houston Texans quarterback Davis Mills during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley during the first half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams (81) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Los Angeles Chargers running back Sony Michel (20) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce (31) runs for a touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert looks to pass against the Houston Texans during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Houston Texans safety Jalen Pitre (5) drops back in coverage against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
A crucial catch logo is painted on the turf at NRG Stadium for an NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Houston Texans Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Houston Texans quarterback Davis Mills (10) calls a play against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) looks to pass against the Houston Texans during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Houston Texans guard Kenyon Green (59) blocks Los Angeles Chargers defensive tackle Jerry Tillery (99) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) looks to pass against the Houston Texans during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Houston Texans punter Cameron Johnston (11) punts the ball against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce (31) runs for a touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert throws a pass against the Houston Texans during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams runs up field after catching a pass against the Houston Texans during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Houston Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. (24) lines up against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) throws a pass against the Houston Texans during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams runs up field after catching a pass against the Houston Texans during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
HOUSTON — In the end, the Houston Texans only really got close to Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert and his fractured rib cartilage once Sunday. They were credited with one sack of Herbert in addition to a handful of mild pressures during the Chargers’ 34-24 victory at NRG Stadium.
The Chargers slipped rookie offensive lineman Jamaree Salyer into Rashawn Slater’s spot at left tackle and Herbert’s blindside was as well protected as ever. Salyer made his first NFL start a memorable one in replacing Slater, who suffered a season-ending left biceps injury last week.
“He’s a stud, calm, poised, strong,” Chargers coach Brandon Staley said of Salyer, who played left tackle in his senior season with national champion Georgia but shifted to left guard with the Chargers until replacing Slater on Sunday. “I’m really proud of him. He can build off it.
“He’s really hard on himself. He’s going to look at the tape and realize he can play better, but now that he’s been out there. … (Houston defensive end) Jerry Hughes is a really quality rusher. I’ve got a lot of respect for (Salyer). He’s an outstanding player. To be able to go out there and hold his own, good start for him.”
Slater was on hand Sunday to cheer on his teammates.
“Tough news for him, but then he’s here helping his teammates out,” Staley said of Slater’s presence during the game. “You can’t minimize that from an intangible standpoint, you know, one of your best players being there for his teammates.”
PROTECTION (PART 2)
Staley also credited the Chargers’ running game with keeping the Texans off balance and away from Herbert. The Chargers rushed for a season-high 81 yards on 27 carries, with running back Austin Ekeler gaining a team-leading 60 yards on 13 carries. Ekeler also scored their first two rushing touchdowns of the season.
“I think commitment to the run game,” Staley said when asked for his key to the protection of Herbert. “I think we were really committed to coming off the football and that helps you. I thought that the fact that we were able to get 27 runs off (Sunday) I think that really helps your passing attack.
“I just felt like we really managed the game from a balance standpoint.”
ODDS AND ENDS
Wide receiver Michael Bandy caught two passes for 49 yards and made a special-teams tackle after the Chargers elevated him from the practice squad for Sunday’s game. He had appeared in only one other NFL game, returning four kickoffs in last season’s loss to Houston. …
Wide receiver Joshua Palmer left the game briefly in the first half because of a foot injury. Staley said Palmer returned to the game after getting his foot re-taped. … Defensive lineman Sebastian Joseph-Day injured his thumb on the final play of the game, but Staley said it wasn’t serious.
