Philip Rivers Injury: Updates on Chargers Star's Ribs and Recovery

It was revealed after the team's win in Week 11 that San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers has been playing through an injury to his ribs.

Continue for updates.

Wednesday, Nov. 19

Rivers Will be Ready for Sunday

The Chargers have the latest from Rivers:

The Chargers provide more details from head coach Mike McCoy:

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Still, a lot of attention has been paid to his health and status the past few days, and following Wednesday’s practice,  the quarterback was added to the injury report listed as a full participant with a chest injury.  However, Head Coach Mike McCoy insisted there’s nothing to worry about and that he’ll be on the field Sunday to take on the St. Louis Rams.

“He had a great practice today like the last 11 weeks,” McCoy said.  “He didn’t miss a snap and had a great day’s work.  He looked great out there in practice.  He’ll play on Sunday.

 

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Monday, Nov. 17

Rivers Reportedly Fine Following Week 11

NFL.com's Albert Breer reported observations from within the Chargers on Rivers' condition:

Mike McCoy later spoke about his quarterback's status, via Eric Williams of ESPN

Sunday, Nov. 16

Rivers Suffering from Injured Ribs

Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego documented what Chargers tight end Antonio Gates said about Rivers' condition following San Diego's 13-6 win over Oakland in Week 11:

Ian Rapoport of NFL.com added more details on the severity of the injury:

U-T San Diego's Tom Krasovic observed how Rivers absorbed considerable punishment on Sunday as well:

Rivers has fared rather well for a mostly one-dimensional offense. Losing the Pro Bowl signal-caller for any significant span of time would be detrimental to San Diego's season.

A hot start to 2014 by Rivers masked a lot of the team's shortcomings, which eventually surfaced in an ugly 37-0 loss at Miami in Week 9 just before a timely bye. That marked the Chargers' third consecutive defeat, and Rivers weighed in on San Diego's potential decline afterwards.

"There's really no excuses,” said Rivers, via ESPN.com's Eric D. Williams. "I didn't play good at all, and that's stating the obvious. I don’t think anybody on our team thinks we played anywhere close to what we're capable of. That's what happens when you get beat like we did."

Perhaps there are excuses to be made in light of Gates' Week 11 postgame comments.

Rivers will stay in the game if he can help it. As Around The NFL noted, he was being evaluated for a potential knee injury on Sunday:

Will Brinson of CBSSports.com then reminded the general public just how tough Rivers can be:

When Rivers is off, the Chargers have little chance to win. Now that he's hurt, the hope is that he can return to the lineup extremely soon. The only option remaining on the depth chart is career backup QB Kellen Clemens, who has never had sustained success under center in the NFL.

San Diego hasn't had to plan ahead for another signal-caller since Rivers took the starting reins. He hasn't missed a regular-season start in eight years and has gotten the nod in every game this season. If last week's bye wasn't enough to get him right, Rivers might be in trouble.

Chargers coach Mike McCoy has guided the likes of Tim Tebow to an NFL playoff win as the previous offensive coordinator of the Denver Broncos. Perhaps McCoy can work some similar savvy to put Clemens in a position to thrive, should Rivers miss any time.

What looked like a promising year at the beginning for Rivers and the Chargers is suddenly taking a turn for the worse. Barring a late-season rally in the event that Rivers can play like he's 100 percent, San Diego may be in for a disappointing finish.