San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers. Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers will not require surgery on his ailing back.
Rivers said Monday night that his back is getting better. He played at least the final five games with the injury and considered going on injured reserve late in the season because of a bulging disk and rib injury.
“At this point, the back injury is not requiring surgery,” Rivers told 101 KGB-FM radio in San Diego. “We’ll kind of revisit it in a month or so. But everything is improving. I’m back to my regular workouts and running around. … I’m actually on the up and up. So I’m pretty excited.”
Rivers, 33, is entering the final year of his contract with a salary of more than $15.5 million.
General manager Tom Telesco said at the team’s season-ending press conference that keeping Rivers — and keeping him happy — is a top priority.
“I still think he has a number of years left,” Telesco said. “I really do. He keeps himself in great condition. He’s always prepared. And he’s still playing at a high level. Now, anytime you have a star player that’s into his 30s, in my position, you always have your eye on who’s the next guy. But I feel good about where Philip is.”
