San Diego Chargers' Nick Hardwick ruled out for season

The San Diego Chargers have announced that they have placed offensive lineman Nick Hardwick on season-ending injured reserve.

The veteran center sustained a neck injury during pre-season and was then forced to leave the field in his side's season-opening defeat to the Arizona Cardinals with an ankle problem.

"Nick is one of the best, if not the best, at his position to ever play for the Chargers," general manager Tom Telesco said in a press release.

"In my 20 years in the NFL, he's one of the best teammates I've ever been around. We'll miss him in the lineup, but we have complete confidence in Rich [Ohrnberger] and the other players to step up and do the job."

The Chargers face the Seattle Seahawks in their week two clash.