SAN DIEGO – The casualty list grew Sunday, again.
The Chargers gained a cornerback; Shareece Wright made his first appearance in three weeks after suffering an injury against Jacksonville. But they were missing one (Jason Verrett, inactive because of a shoulder issue). And they lost one when Brandon Flowers suffered a concussion in the third quarter.
Flowers, who was questionable leading up to the game because of a groin injury suffered last week in Oakland, wasn’t going to miss this game against his former Kansas City teammates. But he went down in a vicious collision with Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles just after Charles had scored Kansas City’s first touchdown on the first play of the second quarter.
Flowers was examined on the sideline, returned to the game briefly, then went to the locker room. He came out for the start of the second half but didn’t have his helmet with him, and eventually went back inside to stay.
At this point, it’s doubtful he’ll be available Thursday night in Denver. Cornerback Steve Williams (groin) also left Sunday’s game, meaning by the end the Chargers were down to Wright, Richard Marshall and Chris Davis.
As the injuries continue to mount, are they having an effect?
“The good thing is, we’re used to it,” linebacker Jarret Johnson said. “It’s kind of how the season’s gone all year. But guys have stepped up and play well, and they will continue to step up and play well.”
MILESTONES
Nick Novak remains perfect on field goals this season, nailing a 24-yarder and a 48-yarder. He is 14 for 14 this season and has 31 in a row datingto last season, now a franchise record. John Carney, who was on hand Sunday among a number of Chargers alumni welcoming Leslie O’Neal into the franchise’s Hall of Fame, held the previous record at 29.
Meanwhile, Jamaal Charles became the Chiefs’ all-time leading rusher. Charles needed 53 yards to surpass Priest Holmes, and he finished with 95, extending his career total to 6,113.
And Philip Rivers, with two touchdown passes Sunday, now has thrown at least one in 27 straight games.
QUOTABLE
From Dwight Freeney: “We have to get better. We all understand that. But it’s not the end of the world. We’re 5-2, and we’re in better position than a lot of teams in the NFL. It just hurts when you lose a divisional game.”
Contact the writer: jalexander@pressenterprise.com
