Extent of Rivers' Injury Revealed

Chargers QB Dealing With Bruised Ribs And More

The Chargers beat the Raiders 13-6 on Sunday at Qualcomm Stadium in a game that will never be described as balletic. Offensively, it looked a lot like San Diego's recent 3-game losing skid, which coincided with a sudden drop off in the play of quarterback Philip Rivers.

Over their first six game, Rivers had 20 touchdowns and two interceptions. In their next three, Philip threw six touchdowns and six picks.

Philip was turnover-free against Oakland with one touchdown pass, but he was not sharp. After the game, longtime friend Antonio Gates gave us a reason why.

"For those who don't know, he's been dealing with a rib injury," said Gates. "A very severe rib injury, so he's been toughing it out these last three, four weeks."

That timeline takes us back to the home loss to Kansas City, where Philip took a few shots and snapped his NFL-record streak of games with a QB Rating of at least 120. The Raiders sacked Rivers twice and hit him four times. On two occasions, Philip limped off the field.

However, as leaders do, Rivers refuses to reveal the extent of his injury.

"Oh, I just got rolled up on one, and I just kind of landed and got my wind on the other," said Rivers. "I'll be fine."

He no doubt feels that way, but a source with knowledge of the situation says Philip has bruised ribs and possible cartilage damage. It's not dangerous, but it is extremely painful. Yet he plays on, a testament to his toughness.

"Nothing is going to take him from that game unless he in unable to walk out there," said safety Darrell Stuckey. "He's a guy that has the tenacity, that has the leadership, that has the ability to fight through whatever he wants to because that's the competitive player he is. We're fortunate to have him as the quarterback and the leader of this team."

Rivers is not going to remove himself from a game unless he's been knocked unconscious. So, if he is not as effective as he can be, does head coach Mike McCoy have to take it upon himself to pull Rivers and play backup Kellen Clemens, who has had success in the NFL?

I'm not sure they'll ever even consider that option.

"He's a warrior," said McCoy on Sunday. "He's one of the best in the business, one of the toughest in the business, if not THE toughest at that position. He's a winner."

It appears the Chargers believe Philip Rivers, even operating at less than full capacity, gives them the best chance to be winners. That's a point that's awfully hard to argue against.

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