Chargers rookie linebacker impresses in his NFL debut

Jun 16, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers linebacker Kyle Emanuel (51) participates in a drill during minicamp at Charger Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Kyle Emanuel seemed more than prepared to play his first NFL game.

But when those preparations paid off -- and the linebacker notched his first professional sack -- that's when his inexperience showed.

"Some guys were giving me some grief because my celebration wasn't really good enough, I guess," the rookie told ESPN. "But I didn't really know what to do. My first NFL sack, I was just looking for someone to celebrate with."

He'll have plenty of celebratory options to choose from if he keeps up his stellar play. Emanuel played 25 defensive snaps and finished with four quarterback hits and two tackles -- including one tackle for loss.

His sack was a thing of beauty, too. The North Dakota State product lined up wide, ripped right by an oncoming blocker, and took an inside move to pull Cowboys QB Dustin Vaughan down.

Emanuel can build on this moment. And with fellow linebacker Tourek Williams out with a broken foot, head coach Mike McCoy might need him to.

"I think he'll tell you there's plenty of mistakes in there, and it's a matter of recognition," McCoy said of his rookie's debut. "But he's done an outstanding job."

(h/t ESPN)