When it happened Melvin Ingram didn't think much of it, "The second day of OTA's, just rushing, a harmless play, I just thought it was a little knee injury." Ingram was referring to that fateful day in May when he tore up his knee. Ingram added, "But as the trainers checked my knee, I started feeling like it could be serious."
It was. Ingram had to have major reconstructive knee surgery that kept him out of action until December 8th. It took Ingram three games to crack the starting line-up. When he finally did, against the Raiders on December 22nd, Ingram registered his first sack of the season.
On Sunday his impact was much greater. Ingram's fourth quarter interception of Andy Dalton all but sealed victory for the Chargers over the Bengals. For Ingram it clearly meant a lot, "It's very satisfying because you know you put the blood, sweat and tears in and when you get to go out and make a play to help the team forward it's always a blessing."
His return has been a shot in the arm to a defense that struggled most of the season. "He brings a lot to us as a team with his athletic ability. The sky is the limit for him.," said safety Eric Weddle, who understands the team will need all hands on deck this Sunday in Denver.
