One play can swing an entire game, for good or for bad. Late in the second quarter against the Washington Commanders, linebacker Marlowe Wax committed the most consequential (avoidable) penalty of the young Chargers' season.
Backed up in their own endzone on fourth and long, the Commanders punted the ball away to Ladd McConkey, who is filling in at returner for the injured Derius Davis. McConkey fielded the punt on a bounce and proceeded to make multiple Commanders miss, culminating with a hurdle over the punter for six.
There was just one problem. Wax did the only thing he couldn't do in that situation: run into the punter without touching the ball. McConkey's touchdown was called back, the Commanders were given a free first down, and they proceeded to march down the field to kick a field goal before half.
Marlowe Wax may have just played himself off the Chargers with his careless penalty
Win, lose, or tie, this penalty is not going to sit well with the Chargers coaching staff. This one mistake was a 10-point swing for the Chargers. Instead of leading 17-7, the Chargers went into halftime in a 10-10 tie.
Wax was a preseason standout who many fans wanted to make the 53-man roster. The undrafted free agent made the 53-man roster and was thrust into a role after Denzel Perryman injured his ankle in Week 1.
Wax didn't play a defensive snap in the first four weeks of the season, but he did play two-thirds of the special teams snaps. He's been a core special teamer for the Chargers, but after a careless mistake like this, Jim Harbaugh may reconsider.
It wasn't an intentional penalty from Wax. He attempted to block the punt, didn't get close, and accidentally fell into the punter. But just because it was not intentional doesn't make it excusable. A professional player has to know better than that. You should not be barrelling toward the punter unless you know without a doubt that you can get a fingertip on the football.
It may seem extreme to let one mistake dictate the future of someone's career with a team. But one imstake like this can swing an entire game, which can legitimately swing an entire season. Mistakes happen in the NFL, but mental mistakes have to be handled accordingly, especially for players buried in the depth chart.
Don't be surprised if Wax's role with the Chargers fundamentally changes after Week 5.