The Chargers have placed Hardwick on IR with a neck injury, the team's official site reports. With Hardwick out for the season, Rich Ohrnberger is now slated to serve as the Chargers' starting center moving forward.

Chargers C Nick Hardwick will return for the 2014 season. Hardwick, 32, was considering retirement. He'll return for at least one more season as the Chargers' starting center and is set to make $3.4 million in the final year of his contract.

Chargers GM Tom Telesco said the team has not heard from veteran C Nick Hardwick regarding his plans to play in 2014. Harwick was a solid if not spectacular center in 2013, but is mulling retirement at only 32-years-old. Describing him as a "team leader" and a "rock inside", Telesco said San Diego would "love" to have him back. Hardwick has one year left on his contract.

Chargers C Nick Hardwick is a candidate for release. Hardwick, 32, is scheduled to count $6.4 million against the cap, and the Bolts could clear $4.4 million by releasing him. Hardwick is a team leader and has one year left of his deal. San Diego isn't in horrible shape with the cap and has easier decisions to make release-wise. Hardwick hasn't missed a start since 2009.

Chargers C Nick Hardwick confirms retirement has crossed his mind. Hardwick, 32, calls the next few weeks a "time of quiet and reflection (to) see where we're headed." He hasn't missed a start since 2009 and graded out as Pro Football Focus' No. 11 center in 2013. Hardwick has one year left on his contract at $3.4 million.

Chargers C Nick Hardwick (concussion) returned to practice Friday. He's been medically cleared for the Divisional Round. 32-year-old Hardwick closed out the regular season as Pro Football Focus' No. 11-rated center.

Chargers C Nick Hardwick has been diagnosed with a concussion. Hardwick lasted just 10 snaps before leaving the Wild Card win over the Bengals. He didn't practice Wednesday as he remains in the concussion protocol. Backup Rich Orhnberger stepped in and handled himself very well in a relief role.

Chargers C Nick Hardwick suffered a first-quarter stinger in Sunday's Wild Card game at Cincinnati. He's been replaced by Rich Orhnberger. Hardwick is a 32-year-old career Charger. His return is officially being called questionable.

Chargers C Nick Hardwick suffered a concussion in Tuesday's practice. The severity is unknown, but it's Hardwick's third-known concussion since entering the league in 2004. It's his first since 2008, however. Pro Football Focus' 12th ranked center last season, Hardwick hasn't missed a game since 2009. He should be ready for Week 1.

Chargers re-signed C Nick Hardwick to a three-year contract. It's the first step in GM A.J. Smith's goal to fix an offensive line that was in tatters last season. Turning 31 just before the season opener, Hardwick is no longer an asset in the run game but receives high marks for keeping pressure off of Philip Rivers. The Bolts will have to turn their attention to re-signing Jared Gaither on the blindside.