Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco has hailed the durability of San Diego Chargers star Philip Rivers.

Rivers has played for the last month with a rib injury to extend his run of playing in 139 consecutive matches for Mike McCoy's side, adding to the robust reputation gained by playing with a torn ACL during the AFC championship game in the 2007 season.

"It's not the fact that he's not missed a game; it's not necessarily that that impresses you," Flacco told reporters. "It's the fact that he has been hurt in certain instances and has played through it.

"I think that's what football is all about - that's part of it. And it's definitely cool to see that and see those guys that are still out there that are willing to do that stuff."

The Ravens and the Chargers face off in their NFL clash at M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday.