In a season full of terrible injury luck for the Chargers, Sunday's game in Carolina feels like one final, brutal insult.
Melvin Gordon (hip) and Joey Bosa (neck) were both knocked out of the game in the first half of San Diego's 28-16 loss to the Panthers.
Gordon's breakout season was interrupted when the running back was carted off the field in the first quarter. The team quickly announced he is out for the remainder of the game. The injury was nasty when viewed on replay. The injury occurred as Gordon attempted to recover a fumble by teammate Philip Rivers, with Gordon's leg bent backward at a very awkward angle.
After famously going without a touchdown in his rookie season, Gordon was among the league leaders with 12 rushing and receiving touchdowns this season. He entered Sunday third in the league in yards from scrimmage, showing incredibly alacrity in the passing game and tough, inside running that was not part of his draft profile. He was performing like a lock for the Pro Bowl. This injury occurred with Gordon at 997 rushing yards for the season.
Bosa, meanwhile, was initially evaluated for a concussion before being declared out with a neck injury. The favorite for Defensive Rookie of the Year, Bosa's injury occurred on a sack of Cam Newton.
Chargers cornerback Craig Mager was also declared out with an elbow injury and a stinger. For San Diego, this injury-marred campaign now can't end soon enough.
