Chargers’ Danny Woodhead is lost for season with broken leg

Danny Woodhead was many things to the San Diego Chargers — running back, receiver, leader, hard worker and popular teammate. Now he’s injured and out for the season.

Woodhead broke his lower right leg on the first drive Sunday in a 22-10 victory at Buffalo. He was stopped after a one-yard gain by diving defensive tackle Kyle Williams, who hit Woodhead directly in the right ankle, which appeared to twist underneath the player.

“It’s a brutal business and it’s tough and injuries are a part of the game, unfortunately,” Chargers Coach Mike McCoy said Monday. “But it means so much to him. That’s the toughest thing. The first thing he said to me after the game was, ‘Coach, don’t worry. I’ll be back and I’ll be back stronger than ever. I promise that.’ I can’t wait to get him back out here.”

Woodhead was lost one week after Ryan Mathews sprained his right knee in a victory against the Seattle Seahawks. Mathews will be out for several weeks.

“He means a lot to the organization,” McCoy said of Woodhead. “His love for the game, the way he plays, his love for his teammates, the way he practices, great to be around. He’s one of the first guys in the building. He only knows how to do it one way. He’s a true professional. We’re going to miss him but we’ve got to move on.”

McCoy said he and General Manager Tom Telesco would decide Monday how to go about adding a running back.

Donald Brown, who carried 31 times for 62 yards, and rookie Branden Oliver are the only healthy backs on the roster.

“It’s next man up, and Donald showed he can do that,” McCoy said. “He did an outstanding job with a number of touches. He didn’t want to come out of the game.”

Brown was signed in part because of Mathews’ injury history.

The Chargers (2-1) host the Jacksonville Jaguars (0-3), who have been outscored 119-44 and will be giving rookie Blake Bortles his first start. Bortles took over for Chad Henne at halftime of a 44-17 loss to Indianapolis on Sunday.

Redskins’ Hall out for season

Washington cornerback DeAngelo Hall’s season is over because of a ruptured left Achilles’ tendon. An MRI test confirmed what was suspected after the three-time Pro Bowl selection was hurt in the third quarter of Sunday’s loss to Philadelphia. Redskins backup safety Duke Ihenacho is also done for the season with a broken bone in his left foot.

Harrison hints at return

Five-time Pro Bowl linebacker James Harrison, who signed a one-day contract to retire as a Steeler on Sept. 5, posted a message via Instagram that hinted at an imminent return to the team. Pittsburgh is thin at linebacker after Ryan Shazier (knee) and Jarvis Jones (wrist) were injuried in Sunday night’s 37-19 victory over Carolina. Pittsburgh also lost cornerback Ike Taylor, who had surgery to repair the right forearm he broke in the third quarter of that game.

Etc.

Philadelphia center Jason Kelce needs surgery for a sports hernia and could miss eight weeks, the latest blow to a battered offensive line. Lane Johnson is serving a four-game suspension after testing positive for a banned substance; his replacement at right tackle, Alan Barbre, is out for the year after breaking his ankle in the opener against Jacksonville; and left guard Evan Mathis is expected to miss at least six more weeks after hurting his knee against the Jaguars. . . . Authorities said they are investigating a weekend burglary at the home of San Francisco defensive lineman Ray McDonald, who last month was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence at the same address. McDonald has not been charged. . . . Baltimore tight end Dennis Pitta had surgery to repair a dislocated right hip and is done for the year. . . . Jacksonville does not expect receiver Marqise Lee to play Sunday at San Diego. The rookie from USC has a hamstring injury. . . . Minnesota tight end Kyle Rudolph is scheduled to have surgery Tuesday for a sports hernia and is expected to miss about six weeks. . . . Tennessee quarterback Jake Locker had an MRI exam on his sore right wrist and might not be able to play Sunday at Indianapolis. . . . The NFL hired former LPGA board member Dawn Hudson as its chief marketing officer.