RSS
Home
Chargers lose Clary to injured reserve, sign veteran Runyan
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
Despite riding a five-game winning streak, the San Diego Chargers have some injury concerns.
San Diego announced this week that it has signed veteran free agent tackle Jon Runyan to the active roster. Runyan replaces starting right tackle Jeromey Clary on the roster after he was placed on the injured reserve list.
Clary injured a ligament in his left ankle in Sunday’s 32-3 win at Denver, joining center Nick Hardwick on the injured list. Hardwick is expected to return sometime in December.
Runyan, meantime, hasn’t played since the end of last season. He wasn’t re-signed by the Philadelphia Eagles after having microfracture surgery on his right knee.
Runyan, who turns 36 on Friday, has been one of the NFL’s premier offensive tackles over the previous 13 seasons.
His career statistics demonstrate a model of consistency and durability. The past 12 seasons (1997-08), he never missed a regular season or postseason start, totaling 213 straight games (192 consecutive regular season starts and 21 postseason starts).
“We are very fortunate that a player of Jon’s experience and ability was available at this time,” said Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith. “He is an outstanding competitor, and I have always admired the physical, nasty approach he brings to the field every game. He will be added to the mix and we will move forward.”
During his career, Runyan has played in two Super Bowls, including Super Bowl XXXIV with Tennessee following the 1999 season and Super Bowl XXXIX with Philadelphia following the ’04 season; five Championship Games, and the Pro Bowl following the 2002 season.
Runyan, 6-7, 330, played collegiately at Michigan where he was selected in the fourth round (109th overall) in 1996 by the Houston Oilers. He played for Houston/Tennessee from 1996-99 before joining the Eagles as an unrestricted free agent in 2000. Runyan started every game for Philadelphia at right tackle from 2000-08.
Even with the injury to Clary, the Chargers are replacing him with a veteran presence, something not all teams can do this time of year.
As they go for their sixth straight win this weekend at home versus Kansas City, the Chargers should benefit from having Runyan on hand.
Related Articles:
Add a Comment
