The San Diego Chargers suffered a painful blow Saturday when Vincent Brown broke his ankle, but the team should still get a contribution from the promising wide receiver this season.
Kevin Acee of U-T San Diego reported Sunday it's expected that Brown will be back for the second half of the regular season. The Chargers likely will carry him on their roster until then.
It was initially reported that Brown would miss at least eight weeks. If he returns for the Chargers' Week 9 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, he will have been sidelined for just over 10 weeks after the surgery, which was scheduled for Sunday.
Brown injured the ankle while making a touchdown reception against the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday night. Acee reported Brown may have suffered "slight ligament damage" in addition to the bone break.
Though Brown didn't make a huge impact as a rookie, he was drawing rave reviews this summer, outplaying free-agent acquisition Robert Meachem.
Brown can still be that. But he probably won't get the opportunity until November.
UPDATE:Brown had surgery to repair his left ankle Sunday morning, according to Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego.
Follow Dan Hanzus on Twitter @danhanzus.
