Chargers team doctor 'punctured quarterback Tyrod Taylor's LUNG as they injected him with a pain killer so he could play with a cracked rib'
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Tyrod Taylor reportedly suffered a punctured lung while receiving a pain-killing injection from a team doctor before Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the injury Wednesday, writing that the pain-killing injection was being used to treat the ribs he broke in Week 1 against Cincinnati.
Taylor was scratched just before kickoff Sunday when the team said the veteran quarterback experienced breathing difficulties and later went to the hospital.
Chargers QB Tyrod Taylor reportedly suffered a punctured lung while receiving a pain-killing injection from a team doctor before Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Taylor broke two ribs in a Week 1 win over Cincinnati, but didn't have an MRI until later in the week
Taylor, who was hospitalized briefly, may not be ready to replace rookie quarterback Justin Herbert just yet. According to Schefter, doctors have advised Taylor to stay off the field 'indefinitely.'
The NFL Players Association is investigating the situation.
'Our medical and legal team have been in touch with Tyrod and his agent since Sunday collecting facts,' George Atallah, the assistant executive director of external affairs for the union, tweeted Wednesday. 'An investigation has been initiated.'
Longtime sportswriter Ron Borges reacted to the news on Twitter by questioning why Taylor would ever be considered healthy if he required an injection in order to play.
'If NFL so into "player safety'' why shoot up Tyrod Taylor with pain killers for cracked ribs before game and end up puncturing his lung?' Borges asked. 'Seems 2 me if NFL really into player safety 1 easy fix: if you need narcotics to play football, you can't play football. That's player safety.'
Chargers coach Anthony Lynn said Monday that Taylor will remain the starter as long as he's healthy, but there's no indication whether the 31-year-old will be ready for Sunday's home game against the Carolina Panthers.
It's not known when Taylor broke his ribs in Week 1. The injury wasn't revealed until he had an MRI days later. Now team doctors are recommending he stay off the field 'indefinitely'
Chargers coach Anthony Lynn said Monday that Taylor will remain the starter as long as he's healthy, but there's no indication whether the 31-year-old will be ready for Sunday's home game against the Carolina Panthers
Longtime sportswriter Ron Borges reacted to the news on Twitter by questioning why Taylor would ever be considered healthy if he required an injection in order to play
In his debut in place of Taylor, Justin Herbert was unfazed and nearly led the Chargers to an upset of defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City before the Chiefs prevailed 23-20 on a 58-yard overtime field goal by Harrison Butker
In his debut in place of Taylor, Herbert was unfazed and nearly led the Chargers to an upset of defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City before the Chiefs prevailed 23-20 on a 58-yard overtime field goal by Harrison Butker.
Herbert, the first-round pick (sixth overall) from Oregon, completed 22 of 33 passes for 311 yards and one touchdown along with one interception. He also rushed for a score.
Taylor started the Chargers' season-opening 16-13 victory the Cincinnati Bengals and was 16-of-30 passing for 208 yards. An MRI later in the week showed he suffered two cracked ribs in that contest.
Los Angeles Times columnist LZ Granderson likened Taylor's situation to a Greek tragedy on social media: 'Tried to play w/cracked ribs to keep talented rook from playing. Doc punctures lung while trying to help him play w/ cracked ribs to keep talented rook from playing. Now watches talented rook while nursing cracked ribs and a punctured lung. Tyrod Taylor story is a Greek tragedy.'
Los Angeles Times columnist LZ Granderson likened Taylor's situation to a Greek tragedy