Chargers CB Jason Verrett to have surgery for torn ACL

ByEric Williams ESPN logo
Wednesday, October 5, 2016

SAN DIEGO -- The injury issues continue for the Chargers.



Cornerback Jason Verrett has a torn ACL and will undergo season-ending surgery, he said Wednesday.



Verrett, who was listed with a calf issue on San Diego's injury report the first two weeks of the season, said he did not know when the injury occurred. Verrett said he came into Chargers Park and his knee did not feel right. He had an MRI done on his knee on Monday, which revealed the ACL tear.



"There were a lot of plays against Jacksonville, Indianapolis and this last one where my body was feeling different," he said. "But nobody in this league plays at 100 percent. So I was shocked with the news, and now I just have to move forward with it."



Verrett said the calf injury was unrelated to his knee injury.



Verrett said he was hopeful to play through the injury, but had to consider the possibility of suffering a compensating injury because of his hurt knee.



"It's just a situation that I've got to go through, that I've got to fix. And I'm going to bounce back next year," he said.



Verrett's absence is another significant blow to a San Diego squad that already has lost running back Danny Woodhead (knee), receiver Keenan Allen (knee), linebackerManti Te'o(Achilles), running back Branden Oliver (Achilles) and receiver Stevie Johnson (knee) to season-ending injuries.



The Chargers also played without starting cornerback Brandon Flowers last week against the New Orleans Saints because of his lingering concussion symptoms.



Strong safety Jahleel Addae has missed the past two games while he recovers from a broken clavicle.



Selected in the first round of the 2014 draft out of TCU, Verrett quickly developed into one of the better cover corners in the NFL, earning an invitation to the Pro Bowl last year.



But the 5-10, 190-pound Verrett has struggled to stay healthy, missing 12 games in his first three years in the NFL with injury.



Verrett missed 10 games his rookie season because of a hamstring injury and a torn labrum in his left shoulder that required surgery, playing 207 snaps on defense. He entered the 2014 season recovering from a torn labrum in his right shoulder that required surgery.



The team managed Verrett's reps during training camp and in preseason games, including having Verrett wear a red jersey to avoid too much contact during practices.



Verrett missed two games last season with groin and hamstring issues.

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