Chargers placed LT Jared Gaither (groin) on injured reserve, ending his season. It's a huge blow to the rest-of-season outlook for San Diego's offense. Philip Rivers has sensed pressure when it isn't there with UDFA Mike Harris at left tackle this season, and the offense has often had trouble picking up first downs, let alone keeping pass rushers off Rivers' backside. Aside from perhaps Danario Alexander, expect a slow finish for the Chargers' skill-position players. Gaither is likely to return in 2013 at his affordable $4.5 million base salary, but his health has proven much too unreliable for the Chargers to count on Gaither as a starter. Per beat writer Michael Gehlken, Gaither wound up earning $2.25 million for every game played in 2012.