Report: Philip Rivers has bulging disk in back, may require offseason surgery

Philip Rivers was able to play through a back ailment Saturday and lead the San Diego Chargers to victory, but the injury is reportedly more serious than the team has indicated.

According to ESPN's Chris Mortensen, Rivers has a bulging disk in his lower back that doctors fear could become herniated. He's received epidural injections to help reduce swelling, but offseason surgery remains a possibility.

The injury was so bad two weeks ago that the Chargers considered shutting Rivers down, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported.

Rivers completed 33 of 43 passes for 356 yards with four touchdowns and three interceptions in Saturday's 38-35 overtime win over the San Francisco 49ers.