The San Diego Chargers are heading into the 2013 season with some high expectations after missing the playoffs under Norv Turner and with new head coach Mike McCoy trying to reshape the offense around quarterback Philip Rivers, injuries are starting to take its toll after Malcom Floyd injured his knee in practice.
According to ESPN.com, Floyd injured his knee in practice this week and while doctors have said that the injury is just a strain, the team and Floyd will have a second opinion Dr. James Andrews to confirm the original status of the knee. Floyd said that the injury is not a tear and the first MRI came back with a strain and while the injury could be one that lingers, the wide receiver said he hopes to be ready for the first game of the season. The report says that Floyd will be out for the remainder of the postseason and there is a chance he may not return until Week 2 against the Philadelphia Eagles out East.
Floyd could get further testing on the knee and the news that it isn't an initial tear is very lucky for the Chargers, since they just lost their number two receiver in Danario Alexander for the season with an ACL tear and they can ill-afford to lose another wideout. Alexander had a collision with a teammate in practice when he was injured and it was the same players, Shareece Wright, that injured Floyd as well. The team has few options on the roster behind the duo, with Robert Meachem, Eddie Royal and Vincent Brown at the position and the injuries also will give rookie Keenan Allen the chance to step up.
Brown is coming into 2013 after suffering a season-ending ankle injury last year and the best bet for the Chargers to add depth is on the free agent market and players like Brandon Lloyd and Laurent Robinson as well as Deion Branch and that could be a short term solution for the team. The Patriots released Lloyd earlier this year after he made 74 catches for 911 yards and four touchdowns and he is the highest profile option on the market and could be a nice fit along with Rivers in the offense. The Chargers had a rough season last year and now that Alexander and Floyd have been injured, even more pressure will be on Rivers and the running game, meaning Ryan Mathews must find a way to stay healthy and on the field.
