Chargers put Leaf on IR
SAN DIEGO, Jan. 1 (UPI) -- San Diego Chargers quarterback Ryan Leaf continues to experience soreness in his surgically-repaired right shoulder and has been placed on injured reserve.
Leaf, the second overall pick in the 1998 draft, never took a snap this season.
He underwent surgery to repair torn cartilage in his shoulder last July and served a team-imposed four-game suspension for insubordination, making his second year a washout.
The Chargers had hoped to give Leaf some playing time at the end of the season, but he has not been able to throw in practice for weeks.
San Diego, which is 7-8 under first-year coach Mike Riley, closes the season at Denver on Sunday.
Leaf's two years with the Chargers have been marred by his off-the-field transgressions. While rehabbing from surgery, Leaf was suspended four games for detrimental conduct. The team claimed Leaf refused to do a workout exercise and cursed general manager Bobby Beathard and strength and conditioning coach John Hastings.
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