Philip Rivers made national news this week when he entered the concussion protocol after self-reporting symptoms on Monday.
One of the game's true ironmen, Rivers described the whole experience as uncharted territory.
Still, there was never any doubt in his mind that he'd suit up come kickoff.
"I hadn't really been in that position before," he said. "It was a little bit of new territory for me. I really felt good all week as the whole week progressed. There was really never any doubt in my mind. A lot of it is really just proper protocol. Make sure I go through all the steps and give everybody confidence that you're good to go. I was. And I felt good all the way through."
Rivers erred on the side of caution when it came to self-reporting his symptoms. A true competitor who never wants to stand on the sideline, he knew the prudent thing to do was bring it to the Chargers' attention.
"At the end of the day, when you're visiting with your wife and those eight babies are there, you go, why not (let them know)?" he explained. "Even if you are being extra cautious, why not?.... It was the prudent thing to do there. It was probably cautious, but when you're dealing with that, (you tell them). Anything neck-down, I tend to be pretty reckless with. But that isn't something I wanted to play around with."
Not only did Rivers take the field, but he put forth one of his best games of the season.
Number 17 finished with 107.7 passer rating, completing 20-of-32 passes for 251 yards and two touchdowns. He guided the Bolts to a franchise-record 37 points in the first half, and also led the team on seven-straight offensive possessions ending in points.
"Getting back out there the first time after dealing with something like that, I was thankful to get out of the game clean. It felt good the whole game, and really leading up to it the whole week. I was still able to get everything (done) from a preparation standpoint that I needed to. Thankfully, I could get back out there, get through another game and keep on rolling."
Not only did Rivers beat the Bills with his arm, but he was equally effective with his pre-snap decisions.
"I thought he settled in and played a good game," Head Coach Anthony Lynn said. "No turnovers…. Our quarterback did an outstanding job getting us in some good plays at times."
The Chargers take on the Buffalo Bills for the annual Salute to Service game.
Los Angeles Chargers inside linebacker Korey Toomer runs for a touchdown after a inception against the Buffalo Bills during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Chargers inside linebacker Korey Toomer celebrates a touchdown after a inception against the Buffalo Bills during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Chargers free safety Tre Boston runs after his interception against the Buffalo Bills during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Chargers free safety Tre Boston celebrates after his interception against the Buffalo Bills during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Casey Hayward, left, intercepts a pass intended for Buffalo Bills wide receiver Deonte Thompson during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Casey Hayward, left, celebrates after his interception with outside linebacker Melvin Ingram during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen scores past Buffalo Bills defensive back Leonard Johnson during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Trevor Williams celebrates after his interception against the Buffalo Bills during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen, right, runs past Buffalo Bills free safety Jordan Poyer during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa, right, forces a turn over by Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Chargers outside linebacker Melvin Ingram, left, scores past Buffalo Bills wide receiver Zay Jones during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Chargers outside linebacker Melvin Ingram celebrates after scoring against the Buffalo Bills during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Kellen Clemens passes against the Buffalo Bills during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
