Dec 6, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) throws a pass during the second half of the game against the Denver Broncos at Qualcomm Stadium. Denver won 17-3. Photo Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
The San Diego Chargers have decided to remain in San Diego for the 2016 season and will make another attempt to land a new stadium, team owner Dean Spanos announced on Friday.
The announcement came shortly after the Chargers reached an agreement in principle to share the proposed football stadium in Inglewood with the Los Angeles Rams.
The Chargers now have until Jan. 15, 2017 to decide whether or not to move the franchise to Los Angeles. The team purchased land for team headquarters and a practice facility in Orange County earlier this week.
However, Spanos said in a statement that his intention is to work toward remaining in San Diego for the long term and finding a stadium solution.
Spanos said he is moving forward “with a fresh perspective and new sense of possibility” in terms of solving the situation in San Diego.
–Denver Broncos starting safeties T.J. Ward and Darian Stewart both missed practice for the second consecutive day and were listed as questionable for the Super Bowl on the team’s injury report.
Ward is bothered by a sprained left ankle and Stewart has an MCL sprain in his right knee. Both players have said they will be ready for Super Bowl 50 against the Carolina Panthers on Feb. 7.
Guard Louis Vasquez (knee) also is listed as questionable by the Broncos.
Quarterback Peyton Manning (foot) is probable for the contest, which could potentially be his final NFL game.
–The Carolina Panthers listed seven players as questionable for Super Bowl 50, including linebacker Thomas Davis who underwent surgery Monday to repair a broken right forearm.
Running back Jonathan Stewart (ankle) and fullback Mike Tolbert (knee) did not participate in Friday’s final practice in Charlotte.
Defensive end Jared Allen (foot) was not listed on the injury report. Allen missed the NFC title game because of a fractured foot, but he has been a full participant in practice this week.
–The NFL released data that indicates diagnosed concussions rose by 32 percent this season.
A total of 271 concussions were reported — a figure that includes regular-season games, preseason contests and practices since the beginning of training camp.
That is a sharp rise from the 206 diagnosed in 2014.
The league improved its concussion protocol after there were 261 reported concussions in 2012. The number dropped over the next two seasons — there were 229 in 2013 — before this season’s increase.
However, the rise could be tied to increased awareness about the dangers of concussions.
–The Kansas City Chiefs signed tight end Travis Kelce to a five-year contract extension.
Terms were not be released but the Pro Bowler’s new deal reportedly is worth $46 million over five years with at least $20 million in guarantees. The deal, which includes a $10 million signing bonus, will keep Kelce in Kansas City through 2021.
The maximum value of the contract could reach $50 million, according to the Kansas City Star.
–The Philadelphia Eagles agreed to terms on a six-year contract with offensive tackle Lane Johnson as the team continued to lock up key players.
The deal will keep Johnson, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, in Philadelphia through 2021. According to multiple reports, the contract is worth up to $63 million with $35.5 million guaranteed.
–The Atlanta Falcons have not made a decision on the future of wide receiver Roddy White, the team’s all-time leading receiver.
White, 34, had a huge statistical drop off this season — catching only 43 passes for 506 yards and one touchdown in 16 games — but Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said he has not decided whether to release or retain the veteran.
White is set to make a base salary of $2.75 million with $1.5 million roster bonus in 2016, but his salary cap number is slated to the sixth-highest on the team at $6.1 million.
–Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam is hopeful the team’s relationship with embattled quarterback Johnny Manziel can be mended but only if the 2014 first-round pick lives up to expectations.
Last week, Browns vice president of football operations Sashi Brown said the team won’t make a “panic” decision on Manziel’s future.
A source told ESPN’s Dan Graziano that new coach Hue Jackson made it clear when he interviewed that he wanted the Browns to move on from Manziel.
But Haslam said he believes the relationship with Manziel is fixable.
–The Detroit Lions hired Harold Nash Jr. as the team’s head strength and conditioning coach.
Nash spent the previous 11 seasons working with the New England Patriots, following new Lions general manager Bob Quinn to Detroit.
