When San Diego Chargers offensive lineman DJ Fluker tossed Oakland Raiders linebacker Sio Moore like a rag doll in Sunday night, it cost him more than just 15 yards. Fluker has been dealing with a calf injury this week, and he told reporters on Thursday that he believes he sustained it during the infamous bodyslam.
“I felt it then,” Fluker said, via the San Diego Union-Tribune. “A couple plays later, that’s when I really felt it late third quarter. It wasn’t worth the injury. It was worth the play. … As an offensive lineman, I’m taught to finish, finish, finish.”
[Video: DJ Fluker gets penalty for epic bodyslam]
The 22-year-old was flagged for unnecessary roughness, though the Chargers went on to score a touchdown during that drive anyway. Fluker didn’t wind up costing his team any points, but he said he was thinking about the after effects of the play when his teammates were cheering while watching it on film.
“They were excited,” he said. “They were like, ‘Man, I’ve never seen anything like that before.’ But I was worried about the consequences of the play.”
San Diego head coach Mike McCoy described Fluker as “day to day” with the injury. He’ll likely play against the Indianapolis Colts on Monday night, but don’t be surprised if that’s the last bodyslam we see from the rookie this season for a number of reasons.
