ESPN’s Chris Mortensen, citing team sources, reports that Chargers QB Philip Rivers is playing with a bulging disk in his lower back.
According to Mortensen’s sources, doctors fear that Rivers’ back injury is “on the brink of being herniated.”
Ian Rapoport reports that Rivers’ bulging disc was so bad two weeks ago that he received urgent treatment and considered shutting it down for the season.
His disk injury is the reason why Rivers missed practice on Wednesday for the first time since the 2007 season.
Mortensen adds that this injury has been bothering him for three weeks now and has required Rivers to take epidural injections to reduce swelling.
The hope for now is that Rivers can avoid offseason surgery, but this remains an option for him to consider.
The Chargers completed an impressive road comeback against the 49ers last night and are still in the hunt for a playoff spot.
There’s no question that Rivers is among the toughest players in the NFL and if anyone is capable of playing through an injury like this, it’s probably him. However, it would be a big risk for San Diego to take with their franchise quarterback if his condition worsens next week.
We’ll have more regarding Rivers and his back injury as the news is available.
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