Nick Hardwick Injury: Updates on Chargers Center's Neck and Return

Updates from Wednesday, Sept. 10

Nick Hardwick's status for the remainder of the 2014 season has been determined, confirms the Chargers team website:

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The San Diego Chargers lost one of their leaders for the season placing Nick Hardwick" rel="/cda-web/person-card-module.htm?mode=data&id=681bbcc9-53c2-4995-be3e-a170ebeac512" rev="player" href="http://www.chargers.com/team/roster/nick-hardwick/681bbcc9-53c2-4995-be3e-a170ebeac512/">Nick Hardwick on Reserve-Injured with a neck injury. A stalwart in the middle, the veteran center has started all 136 NFL games he’s appeared in, including 67 in a row, so he’s still getting over the 'shock' of being out for the year.

'It’s hard and it’s still setting in' he said.  'I have a touch of shock I guess and I don’t really know how I feel right now.  You’re programmed one way and through everything you’ve done you’ve always continued to push forward and push through to find ways to get on the field.  Unfortunately for this season it’s not going to happen anymore.'

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Annie Heilbrunn reported on Hardwick's future:

Original Text

Already struggling to open holes against the stout Arizona Cardinals defensive line, the San Diego Chargers lost an important interior piece during Monday night's contest. 

Veteran center Nick Hardwick was forced from the game with an ankle injury, and according to the U-T San Diego's Michael Gehlken, his return is doubtful:

Hardwick has been a mainstay in the middle of San Diego's offensive line, starting 135 regular-season games during his 10 seasons with the team. There was talk of his retirement in the offseason, but he opted to come back for the last season on his contract. 

“Obviously, he's a big part of the offensive line," said GM Tom Telesco back in February, via Gehlken. "A true team leader, a rock inside, and a guy we'd definitely love to have back.”

Rick Scuteri/Associated Press

The 33-year-old hasn't missed a game in the past four seasons, so you can bet that if this is anything other than a serious injury, he'll be ready to go next week against the Seattle Seahawks. 

If he isn't able to suit up, career backup Rich Ohrnberger will fill in, a dangerous proposition versus the defending Super Bowl champs' front seven.