The Sports Xchange

SAN DIEGO — -Wide receiver Keenan Allen had a career day in the San Diego Chargers’ come-from-behind, 33-28, season opening victory over t he Detroit Lions.

That put him in the Chargers record book. His 15 receptions tie the franchise high set by Kellen Winslow in 1984. Allen finished with 166 receiving yards for his effort which help fuel the Chargers’ rally. Allen was on a roll and Philip Rivers didn’t shy from going to him.

“When you hear a play call and it gets to third down, I just get fired up,” Allen said. “I get a lot of energy and I’m just trying to run the best route I can. On the field (Rivers) definitely looked for me and we just connected.”

Many eyes were on third-year tight end Ladarius Green as he replaced All-Pro Antonio Gates in the starting lineup. Gates was serving the first of his four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs. Green, who suffered a concussion in the days leading up to the game before being cleared, caught five passes for 74 yards and a touchdown.

“It was a big game for me and I did it for him,” Green said of Gates. “He has been coaching me up since he found out what happened. He kept telling me to go out there and play my game. That is what I tried to do.”

On the other side of the ball, outside linebacker Kyle Emanuel was the talk of the camp with his play. But many doubters did so with a wink, as he was a fifth-round pick and making the jump from North Dakota State. But Emanuel proved the NFL game wasn’t too big for him. He showed an athletic move when recording a sack and then made an acrobatic interception.

“I’m even-keeled off the field, but there was a lot of emotions going on the field,” he said after his NFL debut. “Especially after that interception and we started coming back, when it looked like we were going to win the game. So it was a lot of fun.”

Notes: Right guard D.J. Fluker left the game with what appeared to be a high ankle sprain; he left the field on a cart. Coach Mike McCoy wouldn’t confirm the extent of Fluker’s injury. Many believe Fluker will miss 4-6 weeks. . . . Left tackle Joe Barksdale exited the game late, but it wasn’t believed to be anything serious. . . . Wide receiver Malcom Floyd had only one catch for 29 yards but it was a key catch. It put him over the 5,000-yard receiving mark for his career. Floyd said in camp that this will be his last season. . . . Cornerback Patrick Robinson won a spot as the nickel back and it paid dividends on Sunday. He intercepted his 10th pass of his career and it led to a Stevie Johnson touchdown catch on the next possession. . . . . WR/KR/PR Jacoby Jones was battling a left ankle injury in the game. It’s not believed to be serious; Keenan Allen took the punt-return duty in the fourth quarter.