Chargers’ Harbaugh to Soon Have Heart Procedure, Hip Replacement
Offseason Plans Put on Hold
Jim Harbaugh is eager to begin plotting the Los Angeles Chargers offseason strategy with general manager Joe Hortiz.
Those offseason plans, though, will take a slight pause when Harbaugh undergoes two medical procedures.
Heart Procedure and Hip Replacement
Harbaugh said during his end-of-season remarks on Wednesday that he will “soon” have an ablation to treat an irregular heart rhythm as well as hip replacement surgery.
Harbaugh experienced an irregular heartbeat during the first half of a 23-16 win at Denver on Oct. 13. During the first quarter, Harbaugh briefly entered the medical tent before heading to the locker room. While in the locker room, Harbaugh had his pulse and an EKG taken and received an IV and magnesium.
Harbaugh returned to the sideline after the EKG showed his heart had returned to normal rhythm.
The 61-year-old Harbaugh said that the week after the Broncos game, he had dealt with atrial flutter for many years, which can cause the heart to beat too quickly. After seeing a cardiologist, he wore a heart monitor for two weeks and took a blood thinner.
It will be the third cardiac ablation for Harbaugh. His first was in 1999, when he was still playing, and then in 2012. An ablation procedure uses small burns or freezes of heart cells. It creates tiny scars in heart tissue, which helps to prevent the heart from producing an irregular rhythm.
Offseason Priorities
Harbaugh walked with a significant limp late in the season, especially going from the sideline to the locker room due to his hip.
Harbaugh, who returned to the NFL after leading Michigan to a College Football Playoff championship last season, guided the Bolts to a six-win improvement.
The task for Harbaugh and Hortiz over the next six months before training camp starts is building the roster.
Building the Roster
Despite last Saturday’s 32-12 loss at Houston in an AFC wild-card round playoff game, Harbaugh continued to be unwavering in the praise of his team, which went 11-7.
“I really felt going into that tournament that we were as good as the best teams in the playoffs. That day we were not the better team,” he said. “We did not play complementary football and weren’t our best when our best was needed; that’s my responsibility.”
Justin Herbert struggled in the loss, throwing four picks and completing only 14 of 32 passes for 242 yards and a touchdown. The 40.9 passer rating and 43.2% completion rates were both career lows in 81 starts, including the playoffs.
Harbaugh, though, continued to take responsibility for Herbert’s play.
“We did him a disservice and didn’t put him in a position to be successful,” Harbaugh said.
Conclusion
Harbaugh and Hortiz will have more salary cap space going into this offseason, compared to last year. They also have more free agents, though, including nine who were starters or made significant contributions on one-year deals. The Chargers will need to prioritize building the roster and making strategic decisions to improve the team.
FAQs
Q: What medical procedures will Harbaugh undergo?
A: Harbaugh will undergo an ablation to treat an irregular heart rhythm as well as hip replacement surgery.
Q: Why is Harbaugh having these procedures?
A: Harbaugh experienced an irregular heartbeat during a game and has been dealing with atrial flutter for many years. He will also have hip replacement surgery due to his hip issues.
Q: What are the Chargers’ offseason priorities?
A: The Chargers’ offseason priorities will be building the roster and making strategic decisions to improve the team.
Q: Will there be any significant changes to the coaching staff?
A: Harbaugh said he doesn’t expect any significant changes to the coaching staff, but defensive coordinator Jesse Minter has been mentioned as a possible candidate for some head coach openings.
