One was a rookie working to make his mark.
The other was a veteran re-establishing his.
Two Chargers were carted off the field Friday evening against the Cardinals. Neither will return this year.
Veteran tight end Jeff Cumberland suffered a torn Achilles tendon in the second quarter of a 19-3 exhibition win at Qualcomm Stadium. Guard Donavon Clark, a seventh-round pick, torn his anterior cruciate ligament in the third quarter. Coach Mike McCoy confirmed their diagnoses during a Saturday afternoon press conference.
This is not the first such injury for Cumberland.
He also tore his Achilles with the Jets in 2011.