The Chargers have seen their share of freak injuries, tight end Jeff Cumberland blowing out his Achilles in August while running a seam route, wide receiver Keenan Allen tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in non-contact fashion during the season opener in September.

The list goes on for the 16 currently on injured reserve.

Then, Dexter McCluster was injured Friday evening. It was maybe the freakiest of them all.

The veteran running back fractured his forearm during a household accident involving the movement of luggage, sources said Saturday. He underwent an X-ray Saturday morning that confirmed the diagnosis. A source said that he’s been placed on the reserve/non-football injury list and will miss the remainder of the 2016 season.


Wide receiver and kick returner Isaiah Burse was promoted from the practice squad to the 53-man roster in a corresponding move. With the Chargers shorthanded at inside linebacker, they also promoted undrafted rookie Deon King. Offensive tackle Tyreek Burwell was waived to clear roster space.

McCluster joined the Chargers following a Week 2 season-ending ACL tear to running back Danny Woodhead. His work predominantly has come in the return game, McCluster serving as a settling presence after wide receiver Travis Benjamin had a poor start to the year.

It is unclear if Benjamin will reassume the punt-returner role Sunday against the Titans. The game was set up to be a homecoming of sorts for McCluster, who spent the past two seasons in Tennessee.

McCluster becomes this third Chargers running back to be lost for the year. Branden Oliver tore his Achilles in an August exhibition in Minnesota before the Woodhead knee injury on Sept. 18 at home versus Jacksonville.


The Chargers have ruled a player out for the season after seven of their first eight games this season: Allen (ACL, Week 1), Woodhead (ACL, Week 2), inside linebacker Manti Te’o (Achilles, Week 3), corner Jason Verrett (ACL, Week 4), inside linebacker Nick Dzubnar (ACL, Week 5), defensive end Caraun Reid (ACL, Week 7) and now McCluster (forearm, Week 8).

Melvin Gordon, rookie Kenneth Farrow and rookie fullback Derek Watt will be the Chargers’ lone running backs Sunday. On the practice squad, Andre Williams could be a candidate for future promotion.

michael.gehlken@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @SDUTgehlken