This week, his starting quarterback was wearing one.
Philip Rivers reported to work Wednesday sporting a boot on his sprained right foot, which he injured in Sunday's win over the Arizona Cardinals.
The Chargers don't have to worry about his availability this week, as the AFC's top seed enjoys a bye. But it's never a good to see a starting quarterback restricted to the degree Rivers is, this close to the team's second postseason appearance since 1995.
"I will feel good," said Rivers, electing to speculate on next week, when he's expected to return to practice.
Schottenheimer said Rivers has a "soft tissue injury" and that an MRI showed no structural damage. And, if the Chargers had a game this week, that Rivers would be able to go.
"I would hate to be the one to tell him he wasn't going to play," Schottenheimer said.
How he plays will go a long way in solving the Schottenheimer curse. While the veteran coach's teams usually shine in the regular season -- the Chargers won a franchise-best 14 games -- they wilt in the playoffs.
Schottenheimer's 5-12 postseason mark is no typo.
"It is what it is," Schottenheimer said.
Will have Rivers have "it" in the playoffs? Despite how impressively the Chargers have been built with nine Pro Bowlers, including LaDainian Tomlinson, Antonio Gates, Jamal Williams and Shawne Merriman, much of the team's fates lies in the hands of a quarterback making his 17th NFL start.
And with one with a foot which might hinder the grand feat of directing Schottenheimer to his first Super Bowl.
"It's not too bad, really," Rivers said - and he was no longer wearing the boot at the end of the week. A calming sign if there ever was one.