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Penalty Flag Hits Josh Rosen During Scramble

Rookie quarterback didn't know until postgame

The Cardinals offense needed any help it could get in Sunday's 45-10 loss to the Chargers, and Josh Rosen received the opposite from an official in the third quarter.

The rookie quarterback scrambled to his right on a third down and looked downfield, before suddenly jerking his head down toward the ball and quickly throwing it away. It turns out an errant penalty flag inadvertently hit Rosen in the throwing hand, something he didn't realize until I asked him about it after the game.

"Oh, that's what that was," Rosen said. "Right when that hit me, I immediately freaked out and threw it away. I thought somebody was actually swiping."

Rosen said no one was open so it didn't have a huge effect, but he wasn't stoked about the situation. Midway through the next question, he continued replaying the situation in his mind.

"You can't do that, though, in the middle of the play," Rosen said. "Whatever."

The Cardinals ended up punting, although even if a pass was completed, the flag was for holding on right tackle Andre Smith.

QB Josh Rosen throws a pass against the Chargers. He was later hit by a penalty flag when looking downfield on a scramble.
QB Josh Rosen throws a pass against the Chargers. He was later hit by a penalty flag when looking downfield on a scramble.

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