Chargers place Nick Hardwick on injured reserve with neck injury

San Diego, CA- The San Diego Chargers have placed center Nick Hardwick on season-ending injured reserve with a neck injury.

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Hardwick told Chargers.com that he’s still can’t believe that he’s out for the rest of the season.

"“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.”"

Hardwick suffered the injury during Monday’s 18-17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. 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.

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Hardwick despite off-season rumors of his potential retirement, returned the Chargers for his 11th season as the teams starting center. Hardwick has played the most snaps of any San Diego Chargers lineman and has started 66 straight regular season games and 135 for his career. Hardwick was arguably the most vital piece to the San Diego Chargers offensive line, as he’s responsible for calling out the blocking schemes up front and has chemistry with Philip Rivers.

The San Diego Chargers will have a difficult time replacing Nick Hardwick, as theirs nobody on the roster that brings Nick Hardwick’s unmatched stability to the middle of the offensive line.