Danario Alexander was one of the few bright spots for the San Diego Chargers last season. They're crossing their fingers he'll be around in 2013.
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The Sideline View's Adam Caplan reported Saturday the team is planning to use the low ("original-round") tender on the 24-year-old wideout. We don't often mull restricted free agents because very few are pursued, but Alexander -- ala Victor Cruz -- stands to draw considerable interest if the low tag is applied.
The original-round tender would allow the Chargers to match any offer floated Alexander's way, but if they choose not to match, they'll receive nothing in return, because Alexander went undrafted. This is surprising because earlier reports suggested the Chargers might use their first-round tender on Alexander, which would all but guarantee he'd be back.
Alexander, despite a history of knee surgeries, turned it on for the Chargers last season, pulling down 37 catches for 658 yards and seven touchdowns. All of that production came over the final 10 weeks of the season and was a welcome sight in the face of Robert Meachem's disappearing act.
Norv Turner coached Alexander and now runs the offense in Cleveland. The Browns could make good use of this young wideout, but so could 90 percent of the league. If San Diego gambles low, this might get interesting.
UPDATE:Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego reports the Chargers have, indeed, slapped the low tender on Alexander, per a league source. Now we'll watch closely as potential suitors weigh Alexander's concerning injury history against his outstanding work down the stretch in 2012.
Follow Marc Sessler on Twitter @MarcSesslerNFL.
