Malcom Floyd, one of the best deep-ball catchers in Chargers history and among his NFL contemporaries, may have played his final game.

Floyd sustained a shoulder injury Monday night against the Chicago Bears and did not return after he was downgraded from questionable to out.

The 34-year-old Floyd has said this season will be his last one.

If the second-quarter injury marked the end for Floyd, he went out in a fashion that defined his career – going all out for a deep pass from Philip Rivers.


The 6-foot-5 Floyd, unable to grab the ball, landed hard and stayed down near the sideline. Trainer James Collins walked Floyd off the field holding the receiver’s right arm in place.

Rivers, scrambling to buy time, had motioned Floyd downfield.

1 / 54 Chargers Malcom Floyd can’t come down with a pass and injured his shoulder as Bears Antrel Rolle, left, and Kyle Fuller defend. (K.C. Alfred) 2 / 54 Fireworks go off at Qualcomm Stadium during the National Anthem before the Chargers-Bears Monday Night Football game. (K.C. Alfred) 3 / 54 Chargers Philip Rivers throws to Melvin Gordon in the 1st quarter against the Bears. (K.C. Alfred) 4 / 54 Chargers Corey Liuget and Donald Butler (56) stop Bears Jeremy Langford in the 2nd quarter. (K.C. Alfred) 5 / 54 Chargers Jason Verrett (22) celebrates an interception for a touchdown against the Bears in the 2nd quarter. (K.C. Alfred) 6 / 54 Chargers Jason Verrett stands injured on the sidelines during a game against the Bears. (K.C. Alfred) 7 / 54 Bears Alshon Jeffrey jumped over Chargers Patrick Robinson in the 2nd quarter setting up a touchdown. (K.C. Alfred) 8 / 54 Chargers Javontee Herndon returns a kick against the Bears in the 2nd quarter. (K.C. Alfred) 9 / 54 Chargers Jerry Attaochu hits Bears Jay Cutler in the 1st quarter. (K.C. Alfred) 10 / 54 Chargers Danny Woodhead catches a touchdown pass agianst the Bears in the 1st quarter. (K.C. Alfred) 11 / 54 Chargers Danny Woodhead celebrates a touchdown pass with Kenny Wiggins againstnst the Bears in the 1st quarter. (K.C. Alfred) 12 / 54 Chargers Danny Woodhead celebrates a touchdown pass with Stevie Williams (11) against the Bears in the 1st quarter. (K.C. Alfred) 13 / 54 Chargers Mike McCoy and Branden Oliver the field before the Bears game at Qualcomm Stadium. (K.C. Alfred) 14 / 54 Chargers Mike McCoy walks over to look at Malcom Floyd after injuring his shoulder against the Bears. (K.C. Alfred) 15 / 54 Chargers Malcom Floyd is looked at after injuring his shoulder against the Bears. (K.C. Alfred) 16 / 54 Chargers Dontrelle Inman reception is eventualy striped of the ball by Bears Tracy Porter in the 2nd quarter at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego. (Nelvin C. Cepeda) 17 / 54 Chargers Jason Verrett returns an interception in the 2nd quarter for a touchdown against the Bears at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego. (Nelvin C. Cepeda) 18 / 54 2nd quarter pass intended for Bears Alshon Jeffrey is broken up by Chargers Steve Williams and Jahleel Addae. (Nelvin C. Cepeda) 19 / 54 Chargers Philip Rivers narrowly avoids getting sacked in the 2nd quarter against the Bears at Qualcomm Stadium. (Nelvin C. Cepeda) 20 / 54 Chargers Philip Rivers reacts to a penalty in the back field on the offense for holding. (Nelvin C. Cepeda) 21 / 54 Chargers Philip Rivers is sacked in the 4th quarter with a loss of 8-yards against the Bears. (Nelvin C. Cepeda) 22 / 54 Pass complete to Antonio Gates for a gain of 9-yards in the 4th quarter against the Bears at Qualcomm Stadium. (Nelvin C. Cepeda) 23 / 54 Chargers Philip Rivers escapes from Mitch Urein and gets the pass off only after crosssing the scrimmage line. (Nelvin C. Cepeda) 24 / 54 Chargers Philip Rivers is pressured by Bears Willie Young in the 3rd quarter. (Nelvin C. Cepeda) 25 / 54 Chargers Antonio Gates catches a pass from Philip Rivers in the 4th quarter against the Bears. (K.C. Alfred) 26 / 54 Bears Jay Cutler passes as Chargers Damion Square approaches in the 4th quarter. (K.C. Alfred) 27 / 54 Chargers Donald Brown carries the ball for the first time all season and is stopped by the Bears. (K.C. Alfred) 28 / 54 Chargers Philip Rivers is hit and throws an incomplete pass in the 3rd quarter against the Bears. (K.C. Alfred) 29 / 54 A Bears fan is dressed like Mike Ditka during a game against the Chargers. (K.C. Alfred) 30 / 54 Golfer Phil Mickelson, left, talks with Steve Young before the Chargers-Bears game. (K.C. Alfred) 31 / 54 Former Major League Baseaball player Ken Griffey Jr. takes photos during the Chargers-Bears game. (K.C. Alfred) 32 / 54 A sky diver enters Qualcomm Stadium before the Chargers-Bears game. (K.C. Alfred) 33 / 54 Chargers Dontrelle Inman is introduced at Qualcomm Stadium before the Chargers-Bears game. (K.C. Alfred) 34 / 54 Chargers Girls perform during a Salute to Military during Monday Night Football between the Chargers and Bears. (K.C. Alfred) 35 / 54 Chargers Girls perform during a Salute to Military during Monday Night Football between the Chargers and Bears. (K.C. Alfred) 36 / 54 Chargers Girls perform during a Salute to Military during Monday Night Football between the Chargers and Bears. (K.C. Alfred) 37 / 54 Chargers Girls perform during a Salute to Military during Monday Night Football between the Chargers and Bears. (K.C. Alfred) 38 / 54 Chargers Philip Rivers lays on the ground after getting hit on a 4th down play on their final drive as Bears Pernell McPhee looks down on him. (K.C. Alfred) 39 / 54 Chargers Philip Rivers is sacked by Bears Lamarr Houston on the final drive in the 4th quarter. (K.C. Alfred) 40 / 54 Chargers Philip Rivers stands in disbelief after D.J. Fluker was called for illegally being downfield forcing an Antonio Gates touchdown to be called back in the 4th quarter. Rivers talks with linesman Marc Hittner. (K.C. Alfred) 41 / 54 Chargers Stevie Johnson reacts to getting delay of game penalty for spiking the ball after a catch against the Bears. (K.C. Alfred) 42 / 54 Beas Ka’Deem Carey finds the hole wide open against the Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. (Nelvin C. Cepeda) 43 / 54 Chargers Melvin Ingram and Jeremiah Attachu was enough pressure to stop Bears Jay Cutler from getting his pass off in time. (Nelvin C. Cepeda) 44 / 54 Bears Jeremy Langford makes the catch for a gain of 32-yards against Eric Weddle. (Nelvin C. Cepeda) 45 / 54 Philip Rivers is deep in the back field for the pass intended for Malcom Floyd. (Nelvin C. Cepeda) 46 / 54 Philip Rivers was under pressure several time from the Bears defense. (Nelvin C. Cepeda) 47 / 54 A Marines covers his ears to protect himself from the loud canon as the Chargers enter the field at Qualcomm Stadium. (Nelvin C. Cepeda) 48 / 54 Chargers Philip Rivers is pressured by Bears Willie Young in the 3rd quarter. (Nelvin C. Cepeda) 49 / 54 Charger Girls perform at Qualcomm Stadium during Monday Night Football. (Nelvin C. Cepeda) 50 / 54 Charger Girls perform at Qualcomm Stadium during Monday Night Football. (Nelvin C. Cepeda) 51 / 54 Pass complete to Antonio Gates for a gain of 9-yards in the 4th quarter against the Bears at Qualcomm Stadium. (Nelvin C. Cepeda) 52 / 54 Bears Zach Miller scores the touchdown that puts the Bears over the top beating the Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. (Nelvin C. Cepeda) 53 / 54 Chargers Melvin Ingram and Jeremiah Attachu was enough pressure to stop Bears Jay Cutler from getting his pass off in time. (Nelvin C. Cepeda) 54 / 54 Chargers Philip Rivers prepares to walk onto the field for Monday Night Football at Qualcoom Stadium. (Nelvin C. Cepeda)

The two have connected for hundreds of passes, in practices and games, since entering the NFL together in 2004, Rivers as a first-round draft pick, Floyd as a college free agent from Wyoming.


Near career’s end, Floyd has shown impressive staying power, playing all 16 games last year and ending up fifth in the league in yards per catch.

He went into Monday’s game ninth among all NFL receivers in snaps played, and was second in yards per catch (19.5).

Javontee Herndon replaced Floyd. Herndon was flagged for pass interference late in the quarter.

Verrett shines


The brighter the lights, the better Jason Verrett has played this year.

Now, if only Verrett’s body would stay whole.

The 2014 first-round draft pick has outplayed the opponent’s No. 1 receiver in the two Monday night games broadcasted nationally.

This time, Verrett went into the contest with a groin injury that had limited him in practice.


Even so, he followed the Chicago Bears’ Alshon Jeffery all over the formation – in effect invoking the sandlot slogan, “He’s my guy.”

Verrett was up to the challenge.

In the first half, he broke up a pass for Jeffery in the end zone; defeated Jeffery on another third-down pass; and, stretching the Chargers’ 7-0 lead, picked off an errant Jay Cutler throw and took it 68 yards for the first touchdown of his career.

Earning his paycheck, Jeffery beat Verrett’s press coverage and pulled in a 47-yard pass early in the second quarter.


Now looking gimpy,Verrett trotted off Jack Murphy Field with a groin injury.

His performance, if cut short, recalled a strong showing last month versus the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Antonio Brown.

Watt shut down

Earlier Monday, the Chargers placed Chris Watt, the starter at center to open the season, on injured reserve with a shoulder injury.


In the corresponding move, Craig Watts rose from the practice squad to the 53-man roster.

Watt has suffered season-ending injuries in each year since arriving in 2014 as a third-round draftee.

As a rookie, he compiled 496 snaps over 12 games and missed time with two leg injuries. This year’s totals were five games and 184 snaps. The starter at three games to open the season, he was moved to a reserve guard role while coping with groin, head and shoulder injuries.

Watt was a durable performer at Notre Dame, starting 47 consecutive games. Fellow Notre Dame alum Trevor Robinson has made every start at center since Watt exited the Week 3 loss at Minnesota.


Complete coverage: Bears 22, Chargers 19

Liuget out

Top Chargers defense lineman Cory Liuget was inactive for just second time in his five-year career. Sidelined by a foot injury, Liuget was unavailable for the first time since missing the third game of his rookie year. Liuget, the franchise’s top draft pick in 2011, appeared in 71 consecutive games.

Ricardo Mathews started for Liuget next to end Kendall Reyes.

Notably


Keenan Allen, recovering from the lacerated kidney sustained eight days earlier in Baltimore, was on San Diego’s sideline.

Williams replaced Verrett, and rookie Craig Mager entered after Patrick Robinson exited with a neck injury. Mager had been sidelined since leaving the Week 3 game with a hamstring injury.

For the second game in a row, Melvin Ingram notched at least one sack.

Former Chargers end Mitch Unrein assumed an H-back role on two Bears touchdowns from inside San Diego’s 5.