Chargers wide receiver Patrick Crayton underwent surgery on his left wrist Wednesday afternoon, and the timetable remains unclear as to when he will return.
After his Wednesday press conference, coach Norv Turner said Crayton will miss only two to three weeks and will not be out for the season. Minutes afterward, the Chargers announced Crayton's surgery and said there is no timetable for his return. He has not been placed on injured reserve.
Crayton landed on his left wrist while falling into the end zone at the end of a 40-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter of Monday night's game against the Broncos. He left the field grasping his wrist and did not return.
Acquired before the season in a trade with the Cowboys, the seventh-year veteran ranks third on the team with 28 catches and 514 yards. He had three receptions for 105 yards before suffering the injury and has steadily produced over the past five games.
Crayton, 31, has averaged 12.2 yards per target, second in the NFL behind only Pittsburgh's Mike Wallace.
Of all the players who have been asked to contribute to an often shorthanded unit, coach Norv Turner said Tuesday that Crayton has impressed him the most. After Monday's game, quarterback Philip Rivers said Crayton has been "huge" for the team.
"You hate to think what it would be like without him as a post-training camp pickup," Rivers said. "He's been big in a bunch of games, third-down conversions in particular. ...He's physical, and just has a knack for running with (the ball) after he gets it."
Turner expects Legedu Naanee to replace Crayton in the slot. Naanee (hamstring) has missed the past six games, but he was a full participant in Wednesday's practice.
The Chargers will also receive some help on the outside. Last year's No.1 wideout Vincent Jackson was activated Tuesday and will make his season debut Sunday against the Colts. He missed the first eight games due to a contract dispute and, as a member of the Roster Exempt List, was required to sit out an additional three games upon reporting.
Wide receiver Malcom Floyd (hamstring) continues to experience soreness and did not practice Wednesday. He ruled himself "day to day" and said his status for Sunday is "tough to say."
Tight end Antonio Gates is still experiencing pain from the torn plantar fascia in his left foot, but he said he will try to practice this week to gauge whether he can play through the pain Sunday.
p { margin-bottom: 0.08in; }Crayton averaged 12.2 yards per target, second in the NFL behind only Pittsburgh's Mike Wallace.
