The San Diego Chargers are dealing with a number of injuries at wide receiver since losing Danario Alexander for the season with an ACL injury and with Eddie Royal also knocked up and Malcom Floyd just coming back, the team may look at some roster cut free agent options, including names like Braylon Edwards, Brandon Lloyd, Raiders Josh Cribbs, Donte' Stallworth as well as Chaz Schilens and Mike Thomas.
According to ESPN.com, the Chargers lost Alexander for the season and Floyd just returned to practice after dealing with a knee injury on his right side after hitting cornerback Shareece Wright, who was also the one involved in Alexander's injury. Floyd said that he felt good getting back on the field and the team desperately needs him healthy, as Royal was taken off the practice field by an ambulance last week and the team has rookie Keenan Allen, as well as Vincent Brown and Robert Meachem also on the roster.
Meachem has been a big disappointment and could be cut despite the injuries, while the Chargers have big expectations for Brown as well as Allen. Floyd was expected to be the number one receiver and his first prognosis said that he could miss the first week of the season before being ready for Week 2, but Floyd said that he hopes he will be ready for Week 1. Philip Rivers needs his wideouts to be more productive and consistent after last season and an improved offensive line could help that as well, especially with timing.
The team opens on Monday Night Football with the Houston Texans and the Chargers have had injuries at a number of positions, including at linebacker, as Melvin Ingram is being placed on the PUP list and will miss the first six games of the season and he will be able to practice in Week 6. Royal had to be taken off the practice field last week and had a concussion and a bruised lung after falling hard and his return has yet to be cleared by doctors.
Manti Te'o is dealing with a foot injury and is in a walking boot and he will likely practice soon if he will be ready for the opener. The Chargers have a final preseason game against the 49ers and the team will have to look at their wideouts to see if any free agents fit. Edwards, Brandon Lloyd, Josh Cribbs, Donte' Stallworth and Thomas all could be affordable options, but the Chargers may decide to sit tight if Floyd can get back in time for Week 1 against Houston at home.
The team was inconsistent last year on offense and new coach Mike McCoy is trying to rectify that this year. The team is relying heavily on Ryan Mathews and Danny Woodhead and Rivers will need them to step up.
From Pro Football Talk, the San Diego Chargers released: running back Edwin Baker, center Colin Baxter, cornerback Greg Brown, wide receiver Deon Butler, safety Tony Burnett, guard Brandyn Dombrowski, quarterback Nathan Enderle, punter Richard Kent, defensive lineman Jamarcus McFarland and tight end Dallas Walker. They also placed outside linebacker Melvin Ingram on reserve/PUP, and placed rookie cornerback Steve Williams and undrafted defensive tackle Byron Jerideau on IR.
