Chargers wide receiver Vincent Brown suffers broken ankle

San Diego, CA, United States (4E Sports) – San Diego Chargers wide receiver Vincent Brown will be sidelined indefinitely after suffering a broken left ankle during the team’s 28-20 victory over the Dallas Cowboys at Qualcomm Stadium.

Coach Norv Turner refused to comment on the severity of Brown’s injury, saying he’s still waiting for test results and evaluations to come out but said the injury is a serious blow to the team.

“You go through a 16-game season, and you’re going to have adversity,” said Turner. “I think we’re equipped to handle what comes our way.”

A team source expects Brown to miss four to eight weeks and could return in the second half of the season against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Brown injured his ankle when his left foot got caught under a tackler after he made an 18-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter. It was the Chargers’ first touchdown and the beginning of a second-half comeback from a 10-0 halftime deficit.

With Brown sidelined, Turner will turn to receivers Eddie Royal, who is close to returning from a groin injury; Roscoe Parrish, Micheal Spurlock and Richard Goodman.

“I think we have good depth there and exciting players,” said Turner.

Viewed in San Diego as an heir apparent to Vincent Jackson, who moved to the Tampa Bay Buccanneers, Brown was having an outstanding training camp before the injury.

“It’s hard to replace a guy like Vincent Brown,” tight end Antonio Gates said. “In my mind, he is one of the best route-runners we have on this team.”

“Brown was having a great camp,” said back-up quarterback Charlie Whitehurst. “Obviously, he made some great plays in the game and some great plays last week. It’s tough to lose a guy like that.”

Starting quarterback Philip Rivers said Brown’s injury is significant but the Chargers need to move on and regroup. “Obviously,” said Rivers, “he was going to be a big part of what we do.”

A 2011 third-round draft pick, Brown finished last season with 19 catches for 329 yards and two touchdowns.

Brown was the second Charger to be downed by injury in the pre-season. Running back Ryan Mathews broke a clavicle in the preseason opener against the Packers Thursday and will be sidelined until October.

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