Butler -- who suffered a dislocated left elbow Sunday against the Broncos -- has been placed on IR, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Butler's season concludes with a total of 73 tackles and a sack in 14 games, with cornerback Greg Ducre having been added to the Chargers' roster in his place in advance of Week 16's game against the 49ers.

Butler suffered a dislocated elbow Sunday against the Broncos.

Butler, who has recorded 73 tackles and a sack in 14 games to date, could be headed to IR as a result, though Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune notes that the Chargers are still weighing their options on that front.

Updating previous items, ILB Donald Butler's new "seven-year" deal is actually a three-year, $19.8 million contract.

The on-paper value is $51.8 million over seven seasons, but the Bolts have a $12 million club option available after three years. Butler's signing bonus is $11.15 million. Before the option, Butler's deal is a three-year commitment worth $6.6 million annually. It's still a more team-friendly contract than the Dolphins gave Dannell Ellerbe in 2013. Ellerbe makes $6.95 million a year.

Chargers ILB Donald Butler's new seven-year contract has a max value of $48 million, with $28 million guaranteed.

The monetary numbers look big, but are less so when stretched across seven seasons. The annual average is under $7 million even with incentives built in. The Dolphins gave ILB Dannell Ellerbe a per-year average of $6.95 million last March. Butler is only 25, so a deal like this makes sense for this particular player. The first three years of Butler's deal are worth just under $20 million, and the Chargers essentially hold a club "option" for the remaining four seasons.

Chargers re-signed ILB Donald Butler to a multi-year contract.

The 25-year-old was the top projected free agent on the inside linebacker market. A 2010 third-round pick out of Washington, Butler's career started slow with an Achilles' tendon tear but he's come on strong the past three seasons as a versatile three-down 'backer with plus coverage skills. He's an ascending player. The second level of DC John Pagano's 2014 defense should be all but set now, with Butler and Manti Te'o inside, and Dwight Freeney bookended by a healthy Melvin Ingram at outside linebacker. Look for GM Tom Telesco to attack cornerback and nose tackle in free agency and May's draft.

The Union-Tribune San Diego reports ILB Donald Butler remains the Chargers' "top priority" in free agency, and believes a long-term deal will "ultimately get done."

The sides are negotiating at the Combine, and both coach Mike McCoy and GM Tom Telesco have been lathering on praise. Rotoworld's No. 1 free-agent inside linebacker, Butler is a strong candidate for the franchise tag if the Chargers don't believe they can reach a long-term agreement before the start of free agency.

The Chargers and free agent ILB Donald Butler have resumed contract negotiations.

The two sides broke off talks ahead of the 2013 season and had planned to rekindle them after the Super Bowl. Both the Chargers and Butler would like to get something hammered out before free agency opens on March 11. The franchise tag is a possibility, though the Bolts would like to use it as a tool to buy more time to pound out a long-term deal this offseason rather than commit $10 million. Butler checks in as our No. 1 free-agent inside linebacker.

Chargers GM Tom Telesco expects to resume long-term talks with impending free agent ILB Donald Butler after the Super Bowl.

Impending free agent ILB Donald Butler suffered a concussion in Sunday's Divisional Round loss to Denver.

The Chargers' season is over, of course, but the concussion is worth filing away for bookkeeping. Butler, 25, is entering 2014 free agency after the sides failed to reach an in-season extension. Butler led San Diego in playoff tackles (17), and finished second to Eric Weddle in the regular season (84).

Chargers ILB Donald Butler (probable, groin) will return to the starting lineup in Week 10 after missing three games.

Just as Butler returns, San Diego lost edge-setting OLB Jarret Johnson to a hamstring injury in Thursday's practice. Johnson was sidelined Friday and is listed as questionable to face Denver. An every-down inside linebacker and arguably San Diego's best defensive player, Butler has 31 tackles in five games this year. He's worth grabbing in IDP leagues if he was dropped.

Chargers ILB Donald Butler (groin) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Jaguars.

Butler suffered a setback with his groin injury in Week 5 and still hasn't returned to practice. Andrew Gachkar will replace him in the starting lineup, while ILB Manti Te'o will call the defensive plays. OLB Jarret Johnson (hamstring) is questionable after practicing on a limited basis this week.

Chargers ILB Donald Butler (groin) and OLB Jarret Johnson (hamstring) are inactive for Monday night's Week 6 game against the Colts.

Both players were listed as questionable. The Chargers' other two questionable players, RT D.J. Fluker (calf) and CB Richard Marshall (groin), are active. Manti Te'o will call the defensive plays with Butler out. The Chargers other inactives are LG Chad Rinehart (toe), S Brandon Taylor, T Mike Remmers, DE Lawrence Guy, and QB Brad Sorensen. Ryan Mathews (concussion) is active.

Chargers ILB Donald Butler (groin) remained out of practice Saturday.

It's the same groin injury that he's been playing through all season. Butler hasn't practiced at all this week and is listed as questionable for Monday night's game against the Colts. The Chargers could also be without OLB Jarret Johnson (questionable, hamstring) for Week 6.

Although Chargers ILB Donald Butler (groin) is active for Week 3, he is not playing against the Titans.

He's on the sideline in full gear and is not expected to play any snaps. Butler suffered a groin injury in Week 2 and barely practiced during the week. San Diego is without both of its starting inside linebackers, as rookie Manti Te'o (foot) also has yet to make his NFL debut.

Chargers ILB Donald Butler (groin) is not practicing Wednesday.

Butler has a minor groin injury and expects to practice later this week. He should be fine for Week 3 against the Titans.

The Union-Tribune San Diego reports extension talks are "quiet" between the Chargers and contract-year ILB Donald Butler.

Per beat writer Michael Gehlken, the talks are expected to be tabled until the offseason, "barring a development over the next week." Butler emerged as a three-down linebacker in 2012, and is one of the few true bright spots for a team in transition. Betting on himself this season could prove quite lucrative for Butler.

The Chargers have opened contract extension talks with ILB Donald Butler.

Butler, 24, was a three-down linebacker last season and had 77 tackles and three sacks before missing the final four games due to injury. The Union-Tribune San Diego reports that "talks are ongoing," but expected to be put on hold once the season begins. A 2010 third-round pick, Butler is currently scheduled to make $1.32 million in the final year of his rookie deal.

The Union-Tribune San Diego confirms contract-year ILB Donald Butler is "at the forefront of the Chargers' focus" in terms of players needing long-term extensions.

24-year-old Butler is owed just $1.323 million in 2013, coming off a breakout season where he notched career highs in sacks (3) and pass breakups (4) while tying a career-high in forced fumbles (2). Butler is viewed internally as a long-term building block, with second-round pick Manti Te'o playing alongside him.

The Chargers' front office is expected to make a "strong push" to sign ILB Donald Butler to a contract extension.

Butler is entering the final year of his rookie contract. As a core piece of the Chargers' defensive youth movement, an offseason extension would make sense. Butler has 173 tackles, five sacks, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, two defensive touchdowns and six pass breakups over the last two seasons.

Chargers ILB Donald Butler's 2013 salary jumped from $575,000 to $1.323 million based on rookie-deal incentives.

Butler tore his Achilles' tendon in 2010 after being a third-round pick, but he came back and has started 28 of a possible 32 games since then. He's racked up 173 tackles and five sacks in that span, and has proven to be a solid run defender. The Chargers are expected to approach Butler about an extension this offseason as he enters the final year of his deal.