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Updates from Tuesday, July 15

Malcolm Floyd recently commented on his recovery from a scary neck injury, per UTSanDiego.com's Tom Krasovic:

'I’m confident right now,' he said following the final spring practice, June 18. 'I don’t have any doubts in my mind right now. 'It was just a fluke event.' His spring was as good as spring can be. 'I think it’s good for Philip, good for me to get that trust back,' he said. 'It’s good for us to go through these plays right now so in training camp it’ll be fluid and then you can run the plays without thinking.'

Updates from Tuesday, May 27

Marty Caswell of the Darren Smith show provides an update on Malcom Floyd's recovery:

Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego provides an update from Floyd:

Updates from Thursday, April 24

Dan Pompei of Bleacher Report has the latest on Floyd:

The word out of the Chargers facility as voluntary workouts begin his week is that wide receiver Malcom Floyd is confident and happy in his comeback attempt from a serious neck injury, and he is moving well. Having Floyd return to football after such an injury at the age of 32 was not a given, but the Chargers are thrilled to see him back.

Updates from Tuesday, April 15

Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego has the latest on Malcom Floyd:

Gehlken had more on Floyd's status:

On April 22, when the Chargers begin voluntary workouts, the veteran wide receiver will be there to participate, a league source said Tuesday. His activity level is expected to be more limited than most of his teammates', as Floyd recovers from a September neck injury that ended his 10th NFL season. It continues to endanger his career. No decision has been made whether Floyd will be able to continue playing. While working with the Chargers' medical staff, he consults Dr. Robert Watkins, a Los Angeles-based spinal specialist who has helped oversee his recovery. Floyd has made it clear he wants to play but will weigh all health factors before making any decision.

Original Text

San Diego Chargers wide receiver Malcom Floyd has proven to be a physical force throughout his NFL career at 6'5" and 225 pounds. Unfortunately, a scary neck injury suffered in Week 2 of the 2013 season may signal the end of his playing days.

According to a report by U-T San Diego's Michael Gehlken on Thursday, Jan. 16, Dr. Robert Atkins has told Floyd that the neck injury could be career-threatening:

However, Floyd has also been told that players have come back to play from similar health issues before.

Floyd expressed hope for the future amid a grueling rehabilitation process, which still requires him to wear a neck brace to bed four months after sustaining the injury, per Gehlken:

I definitely want to play again. I definitely do. I'm getting better steadily, and if my body allows me to play, I'm going to do it. I'm really excited for our team. I want to add some more firepower...If not, then yeah, I need to hang it up. It won't do anything positive. It won't help out me or the team.

Philadelphia Eagles linebacker DeMeco Ryans was fined for his role in the sandwiching hit on Floyd, which occurred in spite of the parameters in place to protect receivers from getting hit hard when they're focused on securing the catch.

The 32-year-old wideout barely got a chance to play in the Chargers' new system this season, which saw a resurgence from Pro Bowl quarterback Philip Rivers.

Head coach Mike McCoy guided San Diego to the playoffs in his first year at the helm, creating optimism for the future. Floyd's attitude reflects that:

This city deserves a championship, regardless. That's what I'm coming to play for. I feel like I owe the city a lot. You can only do what you can do and control what you can control...I want to play. I think I can still do it. I feel like I can still go out there and make plays. I'm confident, but at the same time, I have to make sure I'm healthy.

Before registering a career-high 56 receptions as more of a focal point of the offense in 2012, Floyd had averaged over 19 yards per catch in each of the previous two seasons.

When it was announced Floyd would go on injured reserve after his injury, ESPN Stats & Info highlighted how sure-handed he's been:

That explosiveness would give the Chargers even more weapons in the passing game next season, but as Floyd said, he must make sure he's fit enough to return to the gridiron rather than risking any further damage.

Should Floyd suit up for San Diego again, it will undoubtedly be an emotional scene after how ominous it looked when he was stretchered off the field early this past season.