Danario Alexander injury: Chargers WR has knee surgery

Danario Alexander has suffered a setback yet again. Can the Chargers afford to re-sign him?

Feb 7, 2014, 2:02 PM UTC

US PRESSWIRE

Danario Alexander's recovery from a torn ACL suffered a major setback in January. According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, the wideout underwent another procedure last month to repair the right knee injury he suffered last August. The revision surgery is expected to delay his return to the practice field, potentially into training camp. Alexander is set to become an unrestricted free agent in March.

Alexander, who will be entering his fifth season in the NFL, has a troubling history of injuries. Prior to August, it had been the left knee that gave him the most trouble. Alexander had undergone surgery to repair a torn ACL four times since his college days at Missouri entering the 2013 season. His freak injury in training camp led to his fifth, and the follow-up surgery appears to be a first.

Somehow, Alexander has managed to stay productive on the field despite the constant setbacks. He was set to be the Chargers' No. 1 receiver in 2013 after signing with the team in the middle of the 2012 season and posting breakout numbers. Alexander played setback-free over the last 10 games of the season, and had 37 receptions for 658 yards and seven touchdowns. He had a career-high 134 yards on five receptions in just his third game in a Chargers uniform.

Where Alexander fits into San Diego’s current plans is unclear. At 100 percent, Alexander is a big, smooth, speedy deep threat. He may not be ready for the start of 2014 training camp, however, giving the Chargers little time to evaluate his progress before signing him to a new contract. At some point, the damage of accumulated injuries may be irreparable.

Then again, the Chargers are in dire need of bodies behind Keenan Allen. In addition to Alexander, Malcom Floyd was also sidelined for the season, in his case due to a Week 2 neck injury that could be career-threatening. Vincent Brown's injury history, meanwhile, may be more damning than Alexander's, and Eddie Royal isn't an exciting option as a No. 2 receiver. While Allen proved he is bona fide No. 1 as a rookie, he too has a history of knee injuries dating back college.

Alexander was reportedly one of the most impressive players on the practice field just before his most recent ACL tear. He has salvaged himself before, and he may very well do it again. The Chargers may not be willing to wait and see with the start of free agency fast approaching, however. Even the tremendous potential he showed in 2012 may not be worth the risk of another, seemingly inevitable, setback.