Tyrod Taylor will not file a grievance against the Chargers over punctured lung
Tyrod Taylor will not file a grievance against the Chargers over the medical incident that led to the quarterback losing his starting job, a league source said.
A member of the team’s medical staff punctured Taylor’s lung on Sept. 20 during a pregame injection meant to help Taylor manage discomfort from a previous rib injury.
Rookie Justin Herbert was forced to start against Kansas City when Taylor became unavailable. Herbert has played well enough since to remain the team’s starter.
“Tyrod Taylor is a class act,” Chargers coach Anthony Lynn said Wednesday. “That’s why he was voted captain by everyone on this football team.”
While Taylor was recovering — he ended up missing six games — Lynn maintained that the veteran would return to the starting role when he was healthy. But Herbert’s performance altered those plans.
Entering Week 13, Herbert is third in the league with an average of 301.5 passing yards per game. His 23 touchdown passes are tied for seventh. He has six 300-yard passing games, tied for the most in one season by a rookie.
With the Chargers’ record at 3-8 and coaching appearing suspect during games, Anthony Lynn’s coaching job is very much in jeopardy.
Over the last several weeks, Herbert has routinely brushed aside praise and credited his teammates and coaches. On Wednesday, when asked if he has been surprised by his degree of success, he did admit, “I think a little bit.”
The Chargers drafted Herbert No. 6 overall in April with the idea that he could learn sitting behind Taylor, who is in his 10th NFL season.
Taylor’s only appearance since guiding the Chargers to a victory in their season opener came Nov. 8, when he replaced an injured Herbert for one play, a failed two-point conversion attempt against Las Vegas.
Taylor signed a two-year, $11-million contract with the Chargers in March 2019. He’ll be a free agent after this season.
When he joined the Chargers, the plan was for Taylor to back up Philip Rivers, which he did last year.
After Rivers struggled with turnovers during a 5-11 season, the Chargers decided to allow him to depart in free agency, opening the opportunity for Taylor to start.
Ingram out for season
Defensive end Melvin Ingram is out for the remainder of the season because of his knee injury.
Ingram was put on the injured reserve list Saturday, his second stint on IR. Players are not permitted to return from IR twice in one season.
A first-round draft pick in 2012, Ingram has probably appeared in his final game for the Chargers. He’ll be a free agent in 2021.
Uchenna Nwosu is a more cost-effective option to play the end spot opposite Joey Bosa. With Nwosu dealing with a chest injury, Jerry Tillery also has been working at defensive end.
Ingram, 31, was limited to seven games, finishing with 10 tackles, one interception and no sacks.
After Josh Kelley failed to get a first down on a key third and one in the fourth quarter, the Chargers had to settle for a field goal in their loss at Buffalo.
Injury report
Eleven players, including eight starters, were included on the Chargers’ first injury report of the week.
Those who didn’t practice Wednesday included Bosa (shin), cornerbacks Chris Harris Jr. (foot) and Casey Hayward (groin), wide receivers Mike Williams (not injury related) and Joe Reed (ribs) and linebacker Denzel Perryman (back).
Nwosu, right guard Trai Turner (ankle), right tackle Bryan Bulaga (illness), punter Ty Long (hip) and running back Kalen Ballage (ankle) were limited.
Etc.
Linebacker Kyzir White remains on the COVID-19 list, but he was working out with a trainer on the side… Offensive lineman Ryan Groy had surgery on his injured biceps and will miss the rest of the season… The team has been isolating No. 3 quarterback Easton Stick during meetings and practices in an attempt to avoid the sort of problem that happened last week with Denver. The Broncos lost all their quarterbacks because of COVID-19 issues before a 31-3 loss to New Orleans… The Chargers signed punter Lachlan Edwards to the practice squad.
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