Woodhead made speech before injury
Danny Woodhead gave an impassioned speech Saturday to his teammates.
Coach Mike McCoy selects a different player to address them the night before each game. He chose the veteran Chargers running back, who told the men at the team hotel to love the game and love each other, that there is no telling when one day this experience all can be taken away.
Of all days, it had to be Sunday.
Of all people, it had to be him.
Woodhead was carted off the field in the first quarter of a 22-10 win over the Bills. He suffered an announced ankle injury and left Ralph Wilson Stadium on crutches. A grim tone followed the topic in the locker room, a strong sense he wouldn’t return anytime soon and likely not this season. A Fox Sports report confirmed with specifics of a severe high ankle sprain and a fractured fibula, likely requiring season-ending surgery.
This was a day the Chargers were winners.
It didn’t feel that way. Not when talking about Woodhead, one of the NFL’s top receivers at his position and an energetic, experienced member of the team.
To have heard him Saturday “adds to the sting a little bit,” quarterback Philip Rivers said.
“You hate it for him first,” Rivers said. “Obviously, it’s going to hurt us. But you hate it for him. He’ll get through it. It’s tough, I know, early like this to get hurt like that. We’ll miss him, but guys will step up. You don’t want anybody to get hurt. We’d be disappointed if anybody got hurt. But it just adds to the fact that you know a guy who loves it that much, cares about it that much, and goes down on his first snap.”
Woodhead was injured on the Chargers’ first drive.
Expected to be involved heavily in the game with Ryan Mathews (knee) out, he was tackled on a 1-yard run by Kyle Williams. The Bills nose tackle dove at his right ankle, incidentally mangling it out of place as Woodhead’s leg got caught up in a pile.
Mathews was carted off the field one week earlier in the fourth quarter. He may miss about a month.
In their absences, running back Donald Brown carried the load. He had 31 carries and 36 touches, both career highs, for 89 total yards.
San Diego will add a running back in the coming days. Marion Grice, a rookie sixth-round pick, is on the practice squad, but the team may prefer to explore veteran options in free agency. Ex-Niner LaMichael James tweeted Sunday night he’s “ready” if called, although the Chargers have not expressed interest at this early stage.
Undrafted rookie Branden Oliver and Brown are the only other healthy running backs on the roster.
Woodhead signed a three-year, $7.25 million deal in July.
He may not play again this season. His message, however, can remain with the team.
“Love the game,” safety Eric Weddle said. “This is the best game in the world. Love the game. Love your teammates. Play for each other. You never know when it could be your last game, your last play, so play like it. I think it showed the way we played out there. Credit Woody for a great talk for us.”
San Diego Chargers 22, Buffalo Bills 10
9/21/2014 at Ralph Wilson Stadium
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