Connection between Chargers’ Justin Herbert, Keenan Allen continues to flourish

Wide receivers of Keenan Allen’s nature don’t come around that often. When you have one, you must take advantage of it.

Chargers rookie quarterback Justin Herbert has wasted no time utilizing Allen to his fullest, and it was on full display in Sunday’s loss to the Panthers.

Doing what he does best by creating separation with his savvy route-running, Allen was targeted 19 times, tying a career-high. He turned does targets into 13 receptions for 132 yard and one touchdown.

In Herbert’s debut, Allen was targeted 10 times which he converted into 96 yards on seven catches.

Sunday was notable for Allen, as he passed Hall of Fame tight end Kellen Winslow for No. 3 on the team’s all-time receptions list, as well as tying the former great for second in team history in 100-yard performances (24).

Allen was Herbert’s number one read on almost every play. That may have bit the rookie a bit, as seen on his interception when he targeted the Pro Bowl wideout when he could have checked the ball down instead.

Allen was surely Herbert’s safety valve on third downs, along with his go-to option in the end zone as he was targeted twice, with one of them that they turned into six late in the game.

Given the fact that Mike Williams is playing banged up and no one has established themselves as the third wide receiver (excluding tight end Hunter Henry and running back Austin Ekeler), we can expect to see the trend of Allen being heavily targeted.

“My job is to get you the ball. I am your assistant,” is what Herbert said to Allen during training camp, which was shown on HBO’s Hard Knocks. That is all coming to fruition.