REPORT: Chargers OLB Jerry Attaochu out for year with broken foot
By Matt Pagels
The San Diego Chargers are down another man.
According to San Diego Union-Tribune’s Michael Gehlken, Chargers outside linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu will miss the remainder of the year after breaking his right foot in Week 12’s win against the Houston Texans.
With OLB Jerry Attaochu (foot), Chargers now have ruled a player out for season after nine of their 11 games: https://t.co/oQhxE0YO0v pic.twitter.com/2mJGhZ8RYd
— Michael Gehlken (@sdutGehlken) November 28, 2016
Another blow to a very injury-riddled team. Attaochu missed three games earlier in the year due to a high ankle sprain. After finishing 2015 with a career-high six sacks and 52 total tackles, Attaochu took a step back this year, ending his season with two sacks and seven total tackles. Part of that was due to the fact that he lost playing time to Kyle Emanuel.
Attaochu, a 2014 second-round pick, was in his third year with the team. Unfortunately, he has yet to play a full 16-game season. He’ll be in contract year in 2017 and will need to perform the way he did in 2015 if he plans on being with the Chargers long-term.
Sep 11, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) is sacked by San Diego Chargers linebacker Jerry Attaochu (97) during the first half at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
The Chargers have been banged up at the linebacker position all year long. Melvin Ingram (six sacks) has played in all 11 games, but Denzel Perryman and Jatavis Brown both have missed time, which resulted in moving Emanuel to inside linebacker at one point. Manti Te’o (torn Achilles) was lost for the year since Week 3.
Thankfully, ex-Raider Korey Toomer, who was signed in the middle of the season, has been a blessing for the Bolts. He’s been creating turnovers left and right, and he’s led the Chargers in total tackles for the third week in a row. 2016 fourth-round pick Joshua Perry has been valuable on special teams and has done a decent job filling in on defense. The Chargers also got Perryman back on Sunday, and hopefully Brown will see the field sooner rather than later.
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