5 San Diego Chargers Who Cannot Get Hurt in 2012

Training camp is underway and the Chargers have a set of goals they would like to achieve.

Winning the AFC West is one of them, but they know that they need to take the season one game at a time. The mindset in San Diego isn't to just win the AFC West. Like it's been for years now, the Chargers have their sights on winning the Super Bowl.

Are they the favorite? Not even close. They're not even the favorite to win their division. That doesn't mean the mentality of the team and organization has changed. For the first time in years, the San Diego Chargers enter a season as an underdog.

To reach their goals and have a successful season, certain players need to perform at high levels. With that being said, the Chargers cannot afford to lose any of these five players to injuries.

Ryan Mathews

The one Charger making headlines this summer, Ryan Mathews, is determined on having a big season.

San Diego has recently strengthened the running back corps with Jackie Battle, Ronnie Brown and Curtis Brinkley. With the past injuries and continual injury concern of Ryan Mathews, the added depth will be huge. I personally like Battle, seeing what he did last season for Kansas City when Jamaal Charles went down. If Mathews does indeed get injured in his junior season, the Chargers will have talented running backs ready to fill in. 

But Mathews is in the best shape of his life and is poised for a breakout season. He's very close having been the No. 10 rusher last year while missing two games and sharing carries with Mike Tolbert. Ryan Mathews is just a click away from being a superstar in the NFL.

Teams cannot afford to lose a superstar, regardless of the sport.

If Ryan Mathews does get injured, the concern meter should be high: 8/10

Takeo Spikes

Thirty-five-year-old Takeo Spikes is entering his second season in San Diego. He's already become a leader on both sides of the ball with his locker room presence and experience.

Spikes defies his age, being in peak physical condition. He was easily the most consistent player on the entire Chargers' roster last year, leading San Diego with 106 tackles (good for 25th in the league). 

Losing Spikes to an injury would be terrible for the Bolts. They do have Donald Butler, who's shown promise in his first couple years, but Spikes isn't a replaceable guy, especially mid-season.

If Spikes does get injured, the concern meter should be above average: 6/10

Jared Gaither

Four years, $24.6 million. That's the contract Jared Gaither, the offensive tackle that played only five games with San Diego last year, signed this offseason with the Chargers. He did the necessary work last season to earn the money, now he has to do the same thing this year for a full 16 games.

Gaither was brought in after being released by Kansas City in 2011. He filled in for Marcus McNeill for the final five games and protected Philip Rivers' blind side.

After the work he did last season, the Chargers can't afford to lose Jared Gaither in 2012. The main reason Gaither MUST stay healthy is the lack of depth and talent at his position and the offensive line in general.

If Jared Gaither does get injured, the concern meter should be very high: 9/10

Eric Weddle

All-Pro safety Eric Weddle is the other "heart" to the defense. In only five years, Weddle has become one of the top safeties in the NFL. He doesn't have the speed of an Ed Reed or the hard hitting tackle of a Troy Polamalu, but he has the mental capacity to make up for that. He may be the most football-smart player on the Chargers defense, and it shows when he performs.

Weddle had an outstanding season in 2011, finishing with 88 tackles and seven interceptions, tied for first in the league.

Injuries haven't really been a problem for Eric Weddle since the 2009 season when his knee got a little beat up. He's a tough player that has been through a lot early in his career, but has never sustained a serious injury. Let's hope that continues this season.

If Eric Weddle does get injured, the concern meter should be extremely high: 10/10

Philip Rivers

The leader, captain, MVP and face of the franchise is Philip Rivers.

Not a lot needs to be said on this one as you all should agree. Unless you're a fan of a team like the Vikings or Browns, the quarterback is the most important player on the team. When the said quarterback is also an elite player and a Pro Bowler, it makes him even more important.

Philip Rivers has been hurt in the past. He either doesn't let people know about it, or he plays through it. We are talking about a quarterback who played with a torn ACL in the playoffs. The guy is a competitor.

If Philip Rivers does get injured, the concern meter should be extremely high: 10/10