Chargers center Nick Hardwick’s 2014 season lasted one quarter.
Hardwick suffered a neck injury in the first quarter of Monday night’s opener against the Cardinals, and today the Chargers announced that Hardwick will be placed on season-ending injured reserve. Hardwick, who has started 67 consecutive games, said in a statement released by the team that he’s devastated not to be there with his teammates the rest of the year.
“It’s hard and it’s still setting in,” he said. “I have a touch of shock I guess and I don’t really know how I feel right now. You’re programmed one way and through everything you’ve done you’ve always continued to push forward and push through to find ways to get on the field. Unfortunately for this season it’s not going to happen anymore.”
The Chargers named Hardwick their team Lineman of the Year each of the last three seasons, and last year they also voted him Most Inspirational Player. He’s going to be a tough player for the 0-1 Chargers to replace.
