INGLEWOOD — Keenan Allen went into the Chargers’ game Sunday against the Washington Commanders needing two receptions to reach 1,000 for his Hall of Fame-caliber career. His 999th catch went for a 29-yard gain in the first quarter, and his 1,000th covered a scant four yards in the second.

By game’s end, Allen caught five passes for 58 yards in the Chargers’ 27-10 loss to the Commanders, moving him within 22 receptions of Hall of Famer Antonio Gates’ franchise record of 955. Allen caught all but the 70 passes he caught last season with the Chicago Bears, while with the Chargers.

Naturally, it would have made for a better story if Allen and the Chargers had defeated the Commanders, but turnovers, penalties, injuries and a strong opponent conspired to deny a victory in no uncertain terms. Allen and quarterback Justin Herbert failed to rally the Chargers in the second half.

That didn’t make their connection any less special in Herbert’s eyes, though.

“Really cool,” Herbert said of throwing the passes that put Allen over the 1,000-catch milestone. “Really fortunate to play with him, to have him on our team. I’m bummed that it wasn’t a better team outcome, but the guy is special. He makes a bunch of plays wherever he is, and we’re going to keep getting him the ball and he’s going to keep getting open.”

However, Allen scoffed at the notion that he set a record by passing Marvin Harrison to become the fastest player in NFL history to reach 1,000 receptions for a career. Harrison hit the milestone in 167 games; Allen needed only 159, including 144 with the Chargers over two stints.

“Just another accolade,” Allen said. “Antonio Gates and I used to call some of these records you guys come up with made-up stats. Fastest to 1,000 is definitely a made-up stat. It’s not something you wake up at 6 years old and say, ‘I want to be the first one to 1,000 at this many games.’”

EXTRA POINTS

Wide receiver Ladd McConkey caught five passes for 39 yards and one touchdown, his first of the season. Last season, McConkey broke Allen’s franchise rookie records of 71 catches for 1,046 yards set in 2013 with the then-San Diego Chargers, with 82 receptions for 1,149 yards. …

Backup quarterback Trey Lance made his Chargers debut in relief of Herbert with the Commanders leading 27-10 in the final moments of the game. Lance completed three of four passes for 44 yards on a final possession that ended with a 21-yard pass to tight end Ty Conklin as time expired. …

Running back Omarion Hampton’s day ended with a left ankle injury, which forced Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh to turn to Hassan Haskins and Kimani Vidal in the second half. Hampton inherited the featured back spot after Najee Harris’ season-ending Achilles tendon injury in Week 3.

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