For a moment, it looked like Jalen Reagor was going to have a dream debut with the Los Angeles Chargers. Then it turned into a nightmare. You can see the play here.
Reagor, who started the 2024 season with the New England Patriots, was bumped up from the practice squad to help out as a kick returner and receiver Monday night. Early on, it looked like a genius move when quarterback Justin Herbert hit Reagor on a deep ball about 40 yards downfield.
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The wide-open Reager made the catch and turned upfield, needing about seven yards to make it to the endzone. That‘s when Arizona Cardinals defensive back Starling Thomas V came diving in and punched the ball out of Reagor’s hands, causing it to dribble into the endzone and out of bounds for a turnover.
Instead of a brilliant touchdown. The play had turned into a disaster. Here’s video of the play.
The Chargers lost the game 17-15.
“Yeah, we‘d love to not have that happen,” Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said after the game. “There’s the details of locking it up … When you fumble near the goal line, gosh, the ball’s got to be in the other arm, and can’t lighten up.”
Reagor started the 2024 season with the Patriots. However, he was released in September following a controversial post on social media. He landed with the Chargers practice squad shortly after, but was not activated for a game until Monday night.
Reagor has had a rocky career since the Philadelphia Eagles drafted him No. 21 overall back in 2020. The speedy receiver was traded to the Minnesota Vikings at the end of training camp in 2022 before winding up in New England a year later.
Reagor played in 11 games in 2023, catching 7 passes for 138 yards. However, his biggest contribution came as a kick returner. He returned a kickoff for a touch in Week 17 against the Bills.
