March 21st, 2008 
Stephen Rhodes 
Posted in 
The San Diego Chargers may be without the services of one of their top offensive linemen for the early part of the 2008 NFL season as according to Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune, center Nick Hardwick underwent surgery last week to repair a severe sprain on his right foot; the timetable for Hardwick’s recovery can be anywhere from the end of July (the beginning of training camp) to the month of September.
Hardwick initially hurt his foot on October 14 of last year against the Oakland Raiders and missed 4 games; in early November, a foot specialist told Hardwick that he was OK to play and that he couldn’t further damage his foot. Hardwick started the final 6 games of the regular season and all 3 playoff games; Hardwick was trying to let the foot heal with some rest; however, upon an examination by team physician David Chao, it was discovered that the injury was not progressing as scheduled, hence the scheduled surgery. Hardwick is in a boot and should soon have the foot in a cast and have to remain off the foot for about a month; the full recovery should be around 4 to 6 months.
