Broken Hand Suffered by Joiner, 39, Renews Speculation About Retirement

Charlie Joiner, the National Football League’s all-time leading receiver, suffered a broken right hand in the Chargers’ 27-0 victory over Houston Sunday.

Could it be that Joiner has played in his final NFL game?

“Yep,” he answered. “It could be. I don’t know yet.”

Joiner, 39, who annually keeps people guessing whether he will retire, has not announced his intentions beyond this season.

He said he was hurt on the Chargers’ first offensive play of the game, but he stayed in several more plays before leaving.

“I caught a pass in the middle and was hit by a linebacker,” Joiner said. “I thought it was just a bruise. It got a little sore. I didn’t think it was broken until it was X-rayed.”

Joiner said it is uncertain whether he will play in the season’s final two games.

“We’ll have to wait a couple of days and see,” he said. “To tell you the truth, it doesn’t feel bad right now. If I can play in the last two games, great. If I don’t, I guess I’ll be OK.”