Chargers’ Bradley Bozeman calls out Saints after one of the ‘dirtier’ plays in Justin Herbert hit

Sometimes nan roughness is necessary. 

Chargers halfway Bradley Bozeman called retired Saints protect tackle Nathan Shepherd connected Sunday for “one of nan dirtier plays” he’s seen successful Los Angeles’ 26-8 win, which resulted successful Bozeman being flagged for unnecessary roughness while defending his franchise quarterback, Justin Herbert.

Shepherd wrapped his arms astir Herbert’s ankles connected a play midway done nan 2nd quarter, erstwhile nan backmost connected pinch moving backmost J.K. Dobbins connected a short pass.

Even arsenic Dobbins moved guardant pinch nan ball, Shepherd continued to clasp Herbert’s little body, twisting his limb up and bringing him to nan ground.

Bozeman, 29, saw nan relationship and promptly charged astatine Shepherd, flattening him to nan ground.

Herbert and an charismatic had to abstracted Shepherd and nan 6-foot-5, 311-pound Chargers center, who some were assessed unnecessary roughness penalties connected nan play.

“You person your gentle elephantine side, and then, erstwhile you’ve sewage to flip nan switch, you flip nan switch,” Bozeman said, per ESPN. “To do that to our premier backmost is unacceptable.” 

“It was astir apt 1 of nan dirtier plays I’ve ever seen … You protect your backmost nary matter what. And I deliberation [if] immoderate of our violative linemen [were] successful my position [they] would’ve done nan aforesaid thing.”

Herbert, who had been dealing pinch an ankle injury earlier successful nan season, was grateful for nan backup.

“That’s nan type of halfway you want connected your team,” nan Pro Bowl backmost said. “He’ll springiness everything for this team, and I appreciated what he did. I tried to propulsion him disconnected truthful he didn’t get immoderate penalties called. But to person a feline for illustration that defending you, there’s nary amended feeling.”

Chargers caput coach Jim Harbaugh had nary qualms pinch nan retaliation either.

“Everybody knows Justin’s sewage a bad ankle … I don’t blasted [Bozeman]. I don’t promote it astatine all, but I don’t blasted him,” nan first-year coach said.

Bozeman, a 2018 sixth-round pick, was awarded a crippled shot by Harbaugh, with nan squad breaking retired into a frenzy successful nan locker room.

This is Bozeman’s first play successful Los Angeles aft playing for nan Ravens and Panthers earlier successful this career.

The Chargers (4-3) will sojourn nan Browns (2-6) successful Cleveland connected Sunday.