COSTA MESA — Philip Rivers is in danger of missing his first game since becoming the Chargers’ starting quarterback more than a decade ago.
The 35-year-old was placed in the concussion protocol after taking several hits during a 20-17 road loss to the Jaguars on Sunday. Coach Anthony Lynn said the veteran passer self-reported symptoms on Monday morning, adding that he had not noticed anything amiss with Rivers during or after the game.
If the quarterback is unable to play against Buffalo this weekend at StubHub Center, the Chargers (3-6) will likely turn to backup Kellen Clemens – a 34-year-old journeyman who has thrown just 10 passes in his four seasons with this franchise. Clemens went 4-5 in his last stint as a starter in 2013, when he replaced an injured Sam Bradford in St. Louis.
“Obviously, I’d rather have my starter,” Lynn said. “But if something happens with Philip, we’ll go with Kellen. … Kellen’s been in this system long enough. He knows this system like the back of his hand.”
No amount of experience Clemens has can replace what the team gets from Rivers, a six-time Pro Bowler. Acquired in a draft-day trade in 2004, the former North Carolina State star sat on the bench for two seasons behind Drew Brees. Since taking over for Brees – who joined the Saints as a free agent in 2006 – Rivers has started 194 consecutive games, including nine in the postseason.
That streak stands as the fourth-longest for any NFL quarterback ever, behind Brett Favre (321), Peyton Manning (227) and Eli Manning (220).
“Philip is obviously the cornerstone of what we do,” said tight end Antonio Gates, the only player whose Chargers tenure predates Rivers’.
Added right guard Kenny Wiggins: “He is the heart and soul of our offense.”
It is unclear exactly when Rivers sustained his injury at EverBank Field. Although the Chargers didn’t surrender a sack, Jacksonville defenders were able to knock him around throughout the day. Rivers took a particularly ugly fall with less than five minutes left in the first quarter: After being hit by Yannick Ngakoue, he stumbled backward and was upended by Dawuane Smoot.
The ol’ high-low combination on Rivers pic.twitter.com/cLGeCmePB9
— Judson Richards (@JudsonRichrds) November 12, 2017
“He hit the ground a lot,” Gates said. “I’ve seen that situation where he kind of — one guy went high, one guy went low. If I was a betting man, that would have probably been the hit that kind of put him in the situation that he’s in now.”
After throwing an interception in overtime, Rivers also made a touchdown-saving tackle on cornerback A.J. Bouye at the 2-yard line — a play that included some helmet-to-helmet contact.
https://twitter.com/BoltUpLA/status/930232044067655680
Whatever the cause, the ailment is an unusual one for a player who has enjoyed a remarkable run of good health. This past summer, Rivers told the San Diego Union-Tribune that he had never been diagnosed with a concussion.
“I know every doctor will tell you there’s a big difference between being diagnosed and having one,” he said then. “So, I don’t know. Could I have? Well, maybe. But I’ve never had symptoms to where I’m like, ‘Gosh, this is crazy.’ That’s a real blessing.”
Injuries below the neck haven’t cost him any games either. In January 2008, Rivers played in the AFC title game a week after hurting his knee; he had surgery to repair the torn ACL three days later, and returned to the practice field in a matter of months. Three years ago, he played through chest and back injuries, and considered having surgery on the bulging disc before eventually opting for rehab.
Last month, he expressed gratitude for his relatively clean bill of health: “Everyone wants to say it’s because I’m tougher than guys, and I don’t think that’s true.”
Extra points
Right tackle Joe Barksdale will sit out a fourth straight game on Sunday against the Bills (5-4). Slowed by a left foot injury since training camp, the starting offensive lineman has not played a full contest since a season-opening loss in Denver. … Linebacker Hayes Pullard, who was also inactive in Jacksonville, will again be limited in practices this week. … Linebacker Denzel Perryman impressed Lynn in his season debut, and should be able to shoulder a regular workload after missing the first half of the season recovering from ankle surgery.
