Danny Woodhead Injury: Updates on Chargers RB's Knee and Recovery

San Diego Chargers running back Danny Woodhead suffered a torn ACL against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 2, ending his season.

Continue for updates.

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Woodhead Placed on IR

Monday, Sept. 19

Citing a source, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Woodhead's MRI revealed a torn ACL.

The Chargers later announced they placed Woodhead on the injured reserve list and signed wide receiver Griff Whalen to take his spot on the roster.

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Woodhead Comments on Injury via Instagram

Monday, Sept. 19

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Woodhead's Injury the Latest Blow to Chargers Playmakers

Woodhead's knee injury is concerning for the Chargers, especially since he played only three games in 2014 before fracturing the fibula in his right leg, ending his season. However, he has otherwise proved durable and appeared in all 16 contests in 2015, 2013 and 2012.

It's also another injury to a Chargers offense that lost wide receiver Keenan Allen for the season in Week 1.

Woodhead’s main value came from his involvement in the passing attack. Last year, he tallied a career-high 755 receiving yards and six touchdown catches. He also finished with a combined 1,051 receiving yards and nine touchdown catches in 2012 and 2013, as he often finds a way to contribute as a secondary receiver out of the backfield despite not being the Chargers' primary back.

Prior to the injury he suffered Sunday, Woodhead had 116 yards rushing and 35 yards receiving with a touchdown through the air.

The hope in San Diego is that second-year running back Melvin Gordon develops into an every-down impact rusher. The former Heisman Trophy finalist from Wisconsin has impressive burst in the open field and the ability to fight for difficult yardage between the tackles.

He didn't score in his rookie season, but he has started strong in 2016, rushing for 159 yards and three touchdowns through the first two weeks.

Still, the Chargers needed Woodhead because he fit perfectly with their offense. The team relies on its aerial attack more than its ground game—San Diego ranked fourth in passing yards and 31st in rushing yards in 2015—and Woodhead gave quarterback Philip Rivers another pass-catcher out of the backfield.