San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers is playing with a bulging disk in his lower back, ESPN reported Sunday.

According to the report, doctors fear that the injury is on the brink of being herniated.

Rivers led the Chargers to a come-from-behind 38-35 victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday. San Diego trailed 28-7 at the half.

Rivers missed practice Wednesday for the first time in seven years because of the injury. His back has reportedly been bothering him for about three weeks.

Sources told ESPN that Rivers has been treating the injury by taking epidural injections to reduce swelling. He wants to avoid surgery but having an offseason operation remains an option.

The Chargers (9-6) kept their playoff hopes alive behind Rivers’ performance. He completed 33 of 54 passes for 356 yards with four touchdowns but three interceptions.