Chargers lose Franklin, Perryman to injury

Orlando Franklin slammed his helmet on the motorized cart as it began to shuttle him off the field.

It’s been that type of season for him.

The Chargers left guard suffered a left knee injury in the fourth quarter of a 37-29 loss to the Raiders. He declined comment afterward in the locker room, but his mobility level said enough: He barely could walk. Franklin was one of two known, potentially significant injuries, as inside linebacker Denzel Perryman exited in the first half with an arm issue.

How serious these ailments are will gain clarity Monday upon further testing.

Perryman, a rookie second-round pick, made his second career start for Manti Te’o (ankle), but he watched the second half with his right arm in a sling. A torn biceps is the concern, a source said Sunday.

Likewise, it remains to be seen when or if Franklin can return this year.

Sunday was his first game back after missing the past three, having been carted off in Week 3 with a high ankle sprain. These injuries are something new for Franklin in the NFL; he missed just one game in four seasons with the Broncos.

Franklin then joined with the Chargers in March as their biggest external free-agency investment. His five-year contract is worth up to $36.5 million, including an $8 million signing bonus. Kenny Wiggins stepped in to finish at left guard.

“It sucks to see it happen to a guy,” right tackle Joe Barksdale said of Franklin. “People always talk about it’s the reality of the business that guys are going to get hurt, some kind of nick or bruise over the season, some guys obviously more than others. What I can say about Orlando is, the first time he was out, he kept a positive attitude. He stayed in tune with the game plan, was there for his teammates on the sideline, made all the trips to the games even though he wasn’t playing.

“We don’t know what the diagnosis is. Of course, we hate to see it happen. He’s a strong guy. He’s going to bounce back. That’s who he is.”


(sandiegotribune.com)