Nick Hardwick injures left ankle in San Diego Chargers loss

San Diego, CA- San Diego Chargers center Nick Hardwick exited last nights 18-17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals with a left ankle injury.

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Nick Hardwick left the game in the second quarter, and despite taking snaps on the sidelines, was unable to return.

Rich Ohrnberger took over at center in Nick Hardwick’s place.

Unfortunately the one of the biggest mistakes in the game came midway through the fourth quarter between Rich Ohrnberger and Phillip Rivers.

Rivers was driving the ball down the field into Cardinals territory and were about to extend their 17-12 lead….when Rivers fumbled the snap on 3rd down and knocked the team out of field goal range. This would come back to haunt the Chargers, as the Cardinals would pick apart the Chargers secondary and retake the lead on a 13-yard touchdown from Palmer to John Brown to give the Cardinals an 18-17 lead.

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Hardwick despite off-season rumors of his potential retirement, returns to the Chargers for his 11th season as the teams starting center. The Chargers will be very careful to make sure Nick Hardwick remains healthy, as he brings unmatched stability to the middle of the offensive line.

Hardwick has played the most snaps of any Chargers lineman and has started 66 straight regular season games and 135 for his career. Hardwick is the most vital piece of the Chargers offensive line, as he responsible for calling out the blocking schemes up front and has chemistry with Philip Rivers. The Chargers will need Nick Hardwick back this Sunday to lead their offensive line against the Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks and their explosive defense.