SAN DIEGO -- San Diego Chargers safety Eric Weddle took the blame for making a fake punt call on fourth-and-35 from Oakland’s 46-yard line in the third quarter.
Weddle said he saw receiver Seyi Ajirotutu uncovered on the perimeter and thought he could get the first down. However, after Weddle audibled, he saw the defender move to cover Ajirotutu. But by that time the fake was on, he couldn’t change things to get back to a regular punt.
Weddle threw the ball downfield to Ajirotutu, but he caught the ball out of bounds. Oakland took over at the 46-yard line, and three plays later Derek Carr hit Brice Butler for a 47-yard touchdown pass, putting Oakland up 21-14.
Weddle said it’s the first time he hasn’t converted on a fake punt. Last year, Weddle converted a key fourth down on a fake punt in overtime against Kansas City in the final game of the regular season that helped set up a Nick Novak game-winning field goal in overtime, allowing the Chargers to advance to the playoffs.
“I lost my train of thought in that situation,” Weddle said. “It’s unacceptable. It’s my call. The coaches trust me with that stuff. It’s unfortunate that I made a decision like that. I tried to get out of it, but it was too late. But we overcame it.”
Chargers coach Mike McCoy had a heated conversation with special-teams coordinator Kevin Spencer after the play. Weddle said he talked to McCoy about it afterward.
“It all starts on me as the head coach, and it didn’t work,” McCoy said.
