Chargers Lose Rookie for Season

For the second straight year, the San Diego Chargers have lost a touted rookie middle linebacker to injury. Jonas Mouton, 23, was placed on injured reserve Wednesday for a shoulder injury sustained in the final preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers. Safety Paul Oliver, who played for the Chargers from 2007 to 2010, was signed to a one-year contract in a corresponding move. The Chargers selected the Michigan linebacker in the second round last April. Familiarly, the team must now wait a season before seeing their draft pick in regular-season action. Last year, third-round draft pick Donald Butler was lost in the opening days of training camp with a torn Achilles'. Butler is now starting alongside middle linebacker Takeo Spikes. Mouton was expected to lead the position's second-string unit. Veterans Stephen Cooper, 32, and recent addition Nail Diggs, 33, who is new to the 3-4 defensive scheme, now head the group. Diggs was active for the first time Sunday against the ...