61 Nick Hardwick C

With longtime Chargers center Nick Hardwick retiring this week, the team will look to Chris Watt to replace him, reports ESPN.com. Watt started five games as a rookie and played in 12 overall, including some time at guard.

“You just don’t plug a guy in and figure he’s going to fill [Hardwick’s] shoes right away,” general manager Tom Telesco said. “We’re happy with the guys we have, but no one is going to walk in and be Nick Hardwick on Day 1. And we’re not asking them to do that.”

Offensive line coach Joe D'Alessandris said he's looking forward to watching Watt develop.

"I think he has a lot of great qualities as an offensive lineman," D'Alessandris said. "He’s got a good mind. He wants to grow. He’s a sponge. He wants to absorb and learn.”

Chargers center Nick Hardwick is planning to announce his retirement from football on Tuesday, according to UTSanDiego.com.

"I'm nervous about tomorrow just because it's so final," Hardwick said Monday. "To declare your intentions publicly and vocally, it's so final. But I'm also really excited. It's going to be a really good celebration of a fabulous career. I've had a lot of fun, and I learned a lot. That's where I am now, reflecting what I took from it."

Hardwick suffered a neck injury in the first game of the season and was contemplating retirement before the 2014 season began. The 33-year-old made 136 starts in his career.

"I got a fast track to life on a professional and personal development course," Hardwick said. "I feel like I have the wisdom of a 60-year-old in a 33-year-old's body, and I'm so thankful for that. Everything is so elevated in football. The highs are so high, and the lows are so low. … It's a big soul-searching journey. I'm really thankful that I guess I found the sport, and the sport found me."

The Chargers announced Wednesday offensive lineman Nick Hardwick was placed on injured reserve due to a neck injury.

"It’s hard and it’s still setting in," he said of missing the rest of the season, per the team's official website. "I have a touch of shock I guess and I don’t really know how I feel right now.  You’re programmed one way and through everything you’ve done you’ve always continued to push forward and push through to find ways to get on the field. Unfortunately for this season it’s not going to happen anymore."

Chargers center Nick Hardwick exited Monday night's game in Arizona in the first half with an ankle injury. He was replaced by Rich Ohrnberger.

Chargers center Nick Hardwick, 32, who had considered retiring, met with team executives and told them he'll play this year, reports the San Diego Union-Tribune. Hardwick is owed $3.4 million in salary and a $500,000 roster bonus for the 2014 season.

The Chargers could part with center Nick Hardwick and receiver Eddie Royal to save money this offseason, reports CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason LaCanfora.

LaCanfora reports that the Chargers could save $4.4 million by releasing Hardwick, who is currently scheduled to cost $6.2 million against the cap. LaCanfora says about Hardwick that "I figure he isn't back" next year.

As for Royal, LaCanfora reports the Chargers could save $4.5 million in cap space by parting ways. Royal had 47 catches for 631 yards and eight touchdowns for San Diego in 2013.

Chargers center Nick Hardwick is contemplating retirement after completing his 10th season in the NFL, per the San Diego Union-Tribune. He has one season left on his three-year contract, but could still call it quits.

Hardwick remained effective in 2013, helping his team reach the playoffs and earn a spot in the AFC semifinals. His teammates voted him Chargers Lineman of the Year. He has started all 135 games in which he's played since entering the league in 2004.

Several Chargers who were on the injury report are active for the game at Denver, including offensive tackles King Dunlap (ankle) and D.J. Fluker (ankle), center Nick Hardwick (neck/concussion), defensive end Kendall Reyes (ankle) and safety Eric Weddle (hamstring).

The Chargers list six starters as questionable for their Sunday game in Denver, including offensive linemen Jeromey Clary (shoulder), D.J. Fluker (ankle) and Nick Hardwick (neck, concussion).

Also questionable are wide receiver Eddie Royal (toe), running back Ryan Mathews (ankle) and defensive tackle Sean Lissemore (shoulder).

Chargers center Nick Hardwick (concussion) was cleared for Friday practice. He should be active for the playoff clash Sunday at Denver.

Chargers tackle D.J. Fluker (ankle) returned to practice Thursday after missing the Wednesday session. But fellow offensive lineman Nick Hardwick (concussion, neck) remained out. Meanwhile, guard Jeromey Clary left the Wednesday practice with a shoulder issue and did not practice on Thursday.

Five Chargers were sidelined from Wednesday practice, but four of the absences were considered rest days, per the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Those given the red light were center Nick Hardwick, wide receiver Eddie Royal, tackle D.J. Fluker, safety Eric Weddle and running back Ryan Mathews. All are expected to play in the Sunday playoff game at Denver.

Hardwick is going through concussion protocol. He was diagnosted with the concussion after the playoff win in Cincinnati.

Chargers center Nick Hardwick is questionable to return against the Bengals. 

Hardwick is dealing with a neck stinger. He came out of the game early in the first quarter, and was replaced by Rich Ohrnberger. 

A slew of Chargers who were on the injury report are active against the Raiders, including linebacker Bront Bird (ankle), right tackle D.J. Fluker (ankle), center Nick Hardwick (not injury-related), linebacker Jarret Johnson (hand), fullback Le'Ron McClain (hamstring), safety Eric Weddle (hamstring) and cornerback Shareece Wright (foot).

All had been listed as probable except McClain, who was questionable. 

The Chargers are quite healthy heading into their critical game Sunday against visiting Oakland. Only wide receiver Eddie Royal (toe) and fullback Le'Ron McClain (hamstring) are questionable. Royal is expected to play.

Also on offense who are probable are wide receiver Keenan Allen (shoulder), tackle D.J. Fluker (ankle), center Nick Hardwick (not injury related), tight end Antonio Gates (not injury related) and featured back Ryan Mathews (foot)

The Chargers are in excellent shape heading into their Thursday night clash against Denver. Only wide receiver Eddie Royal (toe) and cornerback Johnny Patrick (ankle) are listed as questionable, though both are expected to play. The rest on their injury report are probable.

The defensive players on that list are ends Corey Liuget (knee) and Lawrence Guy (toe), linebacker Jarret Johnson (hand), lineman Sean Lissemore (toe) and cornerback Shareece Wright (foot).

The offensive probables are wide receiver Keenan Allen (shoulder), center Nick Hardwick (neck) and tackle D.J. Fluker (ankle). 

Two key Chargers have been listed as questionable for Sunday against the Giants. Wideout Eddie Royal (toe/chest) and linebacker Jarret Johnson (hand) have received that desgination.

The probables on their injury report are offensive linemen King Dunlap (neck), D.J. Fluker (ankle) and Nick Hardwick (neck), defensive ends Corey Liuget (knee) and Lawrence Guy (toe) and wide receiver Lavelle Hawkins (knee).

Center Nick Hardwick is the lone Chargers offensive lineman to miss practice on Wednesday, per the San Diego Union-Tribune. He has been nursing a neck ailment, but has yet to miss a start.

The Chargers have designated eight players as probable for the game Sunday against the Bengals, including running back Ryan Mathews and tight end Antonio Gates, both of whom are nursing hamstring injuries.

The others are wide receiver Seyi Ajirotutu (hamstring), tackle D.J. Fluker (knee), defensive ends Corey Liuget (shin) and Lawrence Guy (toe), center Nick Hardwick (neck) and long snapper Mike Windt (ankle).

Chargers S Jahleel Addae, WR Vincent Brown, DE Lawrence Guy, C Nick Hardwick and LB Manti Te'o are active Week 12 against the Chiefs.

Brown was limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday, but returned to full practice Friday. Hardwick was limited Thursday, but practiced in full Friday. Addae, Guy and Te'o were full participants every day this week.