Chargers lose WR Brown for 8 weeks

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SAN DIEGO, Aug. 19 (UPI) -- The San Diego Chargers lost their second key offensive player in as many games Saturday when wide receiver Vincent Brown broke his ankle.

Brown will require surgery and will join running back Ryan Matthews on the injured list for about eight weeks.

"It is definitely a blow," said tight end Antonio Gates.

The San Diego U-T said Brown broke his ankle making an 18-yard touchdown catch in the Chargers 28-20 preseason win over Dallas. He was taken off the field on a cart and penciled in for surgery Sunday.

Brown, who is in his second year in the NFL, had four catches and a touchdown in the preseason opener against Green Bay. Matthews went down in that game with a broken clavicle and will likely miss all of September.

The U-T said the Chargers would likely add another receiver to the roster to replace Brown, but might have to go with fewer special-teams players.