Chargers Place Hardwick on Reserve-Injured

The Bolts starting center and offensive co-captain is now out for the rest of the season with a neck injury

The San Diego Chargers will have to play the remainder of the season without one of their top performers: Center Nick Hardwick, who has just been placed on Reserve-Injured.

The Bolts announced Wednesday that Hardwick is out with a neck injury.

Chargers General Manager Tom Telesco said Hardwick will certainly be missed, as he’s a consistent part of the team. He’s also one of the offensive co-captains.

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“Nick is one of the best, if not the best, at his position to ever play for the Chargers,” said Telesco in a team press release. “In my 20 years in the NFL, he’s one of the best teammates I’ve ever been around. We’ll miss him in the lineup, but we have complete confidence in Rich [Ohrnberger] and the other players to step up and do the job.”

Ohrnberger will likely take over for Hardwick while he’s gone.

Head Coach Mike McCoy called Hardwick a “warrior” and “a true pro’s pro.”

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“We’ve been spoiled by his excellence over the years. Players with his physical skills, leadership ability and intangibles don’t come around every year. He is a special player to coach and a great guy for the organization,” McCoy added.

Hardwick has been with the Chargers for 10 years. He first came to the team as a third-round draft choice in 2004 and has been a starter ever since.

The Chargers say Hardwick has started in all 136 games he has played in the NFL and in the last 67 in a row, including Monday’s season opener against Arizona.

“We made the tough decision to put Nick on the IR,” said McCoy at an afternoon press conference. “A passionate player who’s been a leader for a long time and means so much to his football team. It was a tough decision for us moving forward.”

McCoy confirmed Ohrnberger will step into Hardwick's role.

"We're fortunate that we have Rich Ohrnberger. He did a nice job in the game the other day of stepping in and doing  great job of directing the traffic, and we didn't skip a beat," he said.

"We have a next man up mentality here and the players have worked extremely hard and they all understand their role on the football team," McCoy continued. "You never want to lose one of your leaders but it's the unfortunate part of the game, and it's going to happen."

Ohrnberger said he's happy to step up, but will miss Hardwick's guidance on the field.

“While I’m excited for the opportunity, I’d love to have him out there and be playing with him," said Ohrnberger at a press conference. “I’ll be using him as a source of advice this year for sure.”

Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers is already feeling the loss of his co-captain, given how closely they've worked together for so many years. Rivers said he not only deeply respects Hardwick as a teammate, but also as a friend and man.

“He and I have been through so much. We were looking forward to having a heck of a year,” said Rivers, admitting he was trying to keep it together. “Our team will miss having him. It’s very clear what he means to this team.”
 

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