Charger Notebook : Herrmann’s Play Cited by Coryell

It has become tiresome to dissect Air Coryell’s tailspin, and Sunday’s performance by Mark Herrmann, Gary Anderson and Trumaine Johnson should make for brighter analysis.

Herrmann’s relief work in a 42-41 loss to Kansas City was encouraging to Coach Don Coryell.

“I really admire him,” Coryell said. “He came in cold and did well.”

Herrmann took over at the start of the second half when Fouts was unable to continue because of a mild concussion. Fouts should be recovered in time for Sunday’s game at Philadelphia, but Herrmann showed he is ready if needed.

“Dan was feeling shaky, so I had to warm up real quickly,” he said. “I knew I had to be ready after Dan got that shot in the first quarter, but I didn’t really get much time to prepare (after halftime).

“I was hoping things would turn around for us, because everybody played their hearts out. It’s a shame it had to end that way after we got ourselves in a position to win.”

Herrmann meshed smoothly with Anderson and Johnson as the Charger offense at last resembled its former self.

“I felt like I could have done a little bit more to get that one point we needed,” said Johnson, who enjoyed by far his best day with the Chargers (8 catches, 91 yards).

“You fight so hard, you struggle so hard, you outplay the other team, you deserve to win. I know this was a gut check for us today, and I thought we were going to win it.”

Johnson said he was too tired to notice any signs of injury in Fouts in the first half.

Anderson, too, felt the effects of the long afternoon.

Utilized as a runner, receiver and kick returner, he gave evidence of being the most exciting player in the league, as Charger coaches have predicted.

“It was a full day’s work,” he said. “Our offense has been down, but we played great today.

“I liked the way Mark Herrmann fit right in. He stepped in the huddle, just like Dan, and said, ‘Let’s go. Let’s take it to ‘em.’ ”

The Chargers kept their medical staff busy as five players went down.

--Fouts was diagnosed with a mild concussion. Guard Ken Dallafior also suffered a concussion.

--Wide receiver Wes Chandler and running back Lionel James suffered sprained ankles.

--Tight end Eric Sievers suffered a sprained knee.

All are expected to be available to play in Sunday’s game at Philadelphia.