SAN DIEGO, CA - AUGUST 18: Quarterback Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers gestures to the sideline during the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Qualcomm Stadium on August 18, 2012 in San Diego, California. The Chargers won 28-20. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
Philip Rivers and Antonio Gates will sit out the Chargers' preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings.
San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers and tight end Antonio Gates will both be sitting out Friday's preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings, the North Country Times is reporting.
The move has nothing to do with current injuries, but instead is a way for head coach Norv Turner to prevent his best players from suffering setbacks that may prevent them from playing when the games actually count.
Turner cited the Chargers offensive line, which will be missing several starters, as the reason for giving backup Charlie Whitehurst the opportunity to take the opening snaps against the Vikings instead of Rivers.
As for Gates, he is currently healthy and Turner would rather not risk any injury.
NFL teams typically give their best players limited action in their final preseason tuneups, as the risk for injury is often considered higher than the potential gains from in-game experience. In Turner's time as Chargers head coach, he has not allowed Rivers to play in the last preseason game.
For more on the Chargers, head over to Bolts From The Blue. For all things pro football, get to SB Nation's NFL Hub.
There are 0 Comments. Add Yours.
Shortcuts to mastering the comment thread. Use wisely.
C - Next Comment
X - Mark as Read
R - Reply
Z - Mark Read & Next
Shift + C - Previous
Shift + A - Mark All Read
Comment Settings
Live comment alert: Hide it!
Comments for this post are closed.