Philip Rivers ‘ready to roll’ vs. 49ers
Philip Rivers isn’t in the habit of missing practice.
To be absent again on Thursday, he said, would’ve been too much.
While the Chargers quarterback didn’t exactly do cartwheels during the period open to reporters, he stood in the pocket and delivered throws as a full participant. He missed his first official practice in several years one day earlier, but all indications are he still start Saturday night against the 49ers.
Rivers has dealt with a rib injury for several weeks.
A back injury is something he’s managed this month.
He played through both ailments last Sunday against the Broncos, taking every offensive snap while not being sacked once.
“I hate missing at all during the week, and to not practice at all, I can’t even imagine doing that,” Rivers said. “So yeah, it was good. It went well.”
“Philip had an outstanding day,” coach Mike McCoy said. “A ball did not hit the ground in all the throws he made today. Philip was Philip, so he’ll be ready to roll.”
Rivers has never missed a start since becoming the starter in 2006, his streak of 142 straight games the second-longest active in the NFL. His last missed practice came the week before the 2007 AFC Championship Game when he dealt with a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
His endurance has been steady. So is the desire not to reveal all the effort behind it.
Rivers finds it neither fitting nor productive to openly discuss his own injuries. He is vaguely known to have played through a number over his career, most of which never became public knowledge. The full extent of this back injury may not be known until after the season is over. When characterizing Rivers’ toughness, a source said Thursday that, “short of losing a leg or an arm, and it’d have to be his right arm,” he won’t miss a game.
Endurance streaks are more difficult as a running back, given the position’s nature.
Ryan Mathews hasn’t practiced since a Dec. 7 right ankle injury. He wasn’t considered close to playing last Sunday, and there are no signs of certainty he will again this regular season. Defensive end Corey Liuget (ankle) and tight end Ladarius Green (concussion, ankle) also practiced Thursday for the first time all week.
Along with Mathews, wide receiver Keenan Allen (collarbone) and punter Mike Scifres (collarbone) did not practice Thursday.
Neither will play Saturday.
