SAN DIEGO -- Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers appears to have avoided surgery on his ailing back, which affected his play down the stretch of the 2014 season.
Rivers told 101 KGB FM radio in San Diego on Monday that he currently does not need surgery to repair the balky back.
"At this point, the back injury is not requiring surgery," Rivers said. "We'll kind of revisit it in a month or so. But everything is improving. I'm back to my regular workouts and running around. Me and my wife played a little tennis the other day. I've hit the golf ball a few times, so I'm actually on the up and up. So I'm pretty excited."
Rivers did not miss a start last season but finished the year with injured ribs and a bulging disk in his back. According to ESPN Stats & Information, Rivers was hit or under duress on 114 dropbacks this season, the 12th-most in the NFL.
Rivers, 33, is entering the final year of his contract and is scheduled to make $15.57 million in base salary in 2015. Chargers general manager Tom Telesco said during a season-ending conversation with reporters that he believes Rivers is still in the prime of his career.
"I still think he has a number of years left," Telesco said. "I really do. He keeps himself in great condition. He's always prepared. And he's still playing at a high level. Now, anytime you have a star player that's into his 30s, in my position, you always have your eye on who's the next guy. But I feel good about where Philip is."
To that end, the team and Rivers likely will be discussing a possible contract extension during the offseason.
"We're committed to make sure that Philip retires as a Charger," Telesco said. "So we'll go from there."