New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Nathan Shepherd took a controversial hit on Justin Herbert, and Los Angeles Chargers offensive lineman Bradley Bozeman didn't respond kindly. It's difficult to blame Bozeman for his response. Any Saints offensive lineman would react the same way to that type of play to Derek Carr.

Dennis Allen and Khalen Saunders stepped in to defend the New Orleans Saints defensive tackle.

Allen doesn't see any malice in the play and said, "Here's a guy that's trying to wrap the quarterback up. He's on the ground, he has no idea if the quarterback has the ball or not." Khalen Saunders went on social media after the game to echo the sentiment.

That being said, it was a very late hit, at least three seconds after the ball had been released. Herbert didn't even seem to be trying to escape.

Allen and Saunders may have had Shepherd's back, but this feels like a tough play to justify. Shepherd may not have known the ball was released, but the way he went for the tackle looked like he was fold Herbert's leg.

It's a tough place for the defender. You're at the quarterback's legs and haven't gotten him down, but it just feels like there should have been a different way. The play is questionable at best.

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This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Dennis Allen defends Nathan Shepherd after controversial play vs. Chargers