Chargers sit Philip Rivers, lose 13-7 to Saints in preseason

CARSON >> The Chargers are lucky to have Philip Rivers, as durable as any player in the NFL.

The 35-year-old has yet to miss a regular-season game since becoming the team’s starting quarterback more than a decade ago. He enters his 12th season having started 176 consecutive contests — a franchise record, and the fourth-longest streak by any passer in league history.

So, what might happen to the Chargers if — knock on wood — he finally gets injured?

Sunday offered a peek at a bleak possibility.

After back-to-back joint practices with the Saints this week, Rivers sat out a preseason game at StubHub Center. Without him, the Chargers punted.

And punted.

And punted, and punted and punted.

Without their six-time Pro Bowler under center, the Chargers’ offense sputtered en route to a 13-7 loss, punting five straight times in their second preseason appearance in their home stadium. They failed to sustain a drive longer than 25 yards until late in the second quarter — and set that tone almost immediately after winning the coin toss.

On the game’s opening play, the ball went to running back Melvin Gordon, who quickly lost nine yards. Backup quarterback Kellen Clemens then missed Keenan Allen and Tyrell Williams, overthrowing the latter by several feet.

The second drive lasted only four plays.

The third ended when Clemens took back-to-back sacks.

The fourth possession featured a 14-yard scramble by Clemens, but ended shortly after when he took — yes — another sack. The Saints snuffed out the next drive the same way, with former Chargers linebacker Manti Te’o doing the final honors.

The ignominious punting streak finally ended with less than two minutes left in the first half. With fourth-and-1 on New Orleans’ 36-yard line, the Chargers gave the ball to Andre Williams. He lost a yard.

Turnover on downs.

This is not to put all the blame on Clemens. The Chargers were also without starting offensive tackles Russell Okung and Joe Barksdale, who were in street clothes nursing ankle injuries. Head coach Anthony Lynn said earlier this week that both were healthy enough to play in a regular-season game, though Barksdale still wore a protective boot over his right foot.

Besides, this game also gave Lynn a chance to look more closely at his two punters, a race that he had described as one of the best competitions in training camp. On that front, incumbent Drew Kaser — a sixth-round pick last year — held the edge. He averaged 47.3 yards on his first four punts. Undrafted rookie Toby Baker managed 39.6 on his first five tries.

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There were more promising flashes on the other side of the ball.

Fifth-round pick Desmond King got significant first-team reps when the Chargers showed their nickel defense, and made a series of big plays. A solid tackle on Daniel Lasco in the second quarter snuffed out a Saints’ drive. Near the end of the half, he dropped quarterback Chase Daniel for an 11-yard loss.

In the fourth quarter, safety Dexter McCoil returned an interception 98 yards for a touchdown, the Chargers’ only score of the game.

But considering that the Chargers opened the preseason with a 48-17 loss to the Seahawks a week ago, some fans could be wondering if they’ll have reason to return to StubHub Center this fall.

As long as Rivers is healthy, they will.