Justin Herbert’s breakout weapon featured in ESPN Week 11 bold projections

Chris Roling | 3 Hours Ago

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Los Angeles Chargers

The Los Angeles Chargers are probably going to need a few big offensive outbursts to overcome the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 11.

Might one of those big performances come from wide receiver Quentin Johnston?

After struggling through his rookie campaign and scoring just twice, the 2023 first-round pick has enjoyed a steady breakout this year with 306 yards and five scores on a 15.3 per-catch average.

Johnston has really come alive in recent weeks as the offense has opened up alongside the improving health of Justin Herbret’s ankle. Over his last two outings, he’s caught six passes for 142 yards and two scores.

Now, experts feel strongly enough to project that Johnston will register one of the five biggest surprising performances of Week 11.

“Johnston has a touchdown reception in back-to-back games, and he has at least one in four of his past six,” ESPN’s Matt Bowen wrote. “Against a weak Cincinnati secondary, I expect quarterback Justin Herbert to find Johnston in the end zone for the third straight game. The Bengals have given up 17 touchdowns through the air this season, which is tied for sixth most in the league.”

Johnston hauling in a score in a third straight game would figure to give the Chargers a big advantage in a game that projects to see them running the ball well against a bad defense while Herbert gets someone like breakout rookie Ladd McConkey involved, too.

And looking into the long-term, Johnston starting to live up to his draft slotting would go a long way toward addressing one supposed offseason need as the roster overhaul under Jim Harbaugh continues.

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