Jim Harbaugh awards Bozeman game ball for defending Herbert after Saints' illegal hit | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

Los Angeles Chargers center Bradley Bozeman stood up for his quarterback and was rewarded for it on Sunday.

According to ESPN's Kris Rhim, Bozeman received a game ball from head coach Jim Harbaugh and was celebrated by his teammates after he responded to unnecessary roughness from defensive tackle Nathan Shepherd on Justin Herbert with a big hit.

In the second quarter of the Chargers' 26-8 victory over the New Orleans Saints, Herbert's legs were wrapped by Shepherd after he had already completed a pass. Bozeman responded by shoving Shepherd to the ground, which resulted in unnecessary roughness penalties for both players.

“It was probably one of the dirtier plays I’ve ever seen,” Bozeman said of Rhim. “You protect your quarterback no matter what. And I think any of our offensive linemen at my position would have done the same thing.”

Herbert was able to play in all seven of Los Angeles' contests this season, but he was hampered by the following Right ankle sprain that he suffered in week 2. While Harbaugh didn't necessarily agree with Bozeman's response, he also didn't blame him for the retaliation.

“Everyone knows Justin has a bad ankle,” Harbaugh said. “I don’t blame (Bozeman). I don’t encourage it at all, but I don’t blame him.”

Bozeman earned an overall grade of just 55.4 from Pro Football Focus in his first season with the Chargers, but allowed just one sack in 198 pass-blocking snaps.

Regardless of his play on the field, the 29-year-old endeared himself to his coaching staff and teammates by defending Herbert on Sunday.