Chargers’ Brandon Flowers practices but is questionable for game

Chargers cornerback Brandon Flowers practiced on Friday as San Diego prepares for Sunday’s game against the visiting Kansas City Chiefs.

Flowers left last Sunday’s 31-28 win over the Oakland Raiders with a groin injury. Friday was the first time Flowers tested it this week.

“I just moved around a little bit, did the individual drills and got through them,” said Flowers, who’s listed as questionable for Sunday.

Coach Mike McCoy was encouraged with Flowers’ progress.

“He did a nice job,” McCoy said.

But Flowers said he won’t know until Sunday morning if he’s able to compete.

“If I’m out there that means I’m good enough to play,” said Flowers, who missed the Sept. 14 game with the same injury. “If not, I wasn’t able to go.”

Flowers, who leads the Chargers with two interceptions, played in Kansas City before signing as a free agent last offseason. He was looking forward to battling his former squad.

“I thought it would be fun,” Flowers said. “I never got a chance to play an old team before, so definitely it would be fun to go out there and play against the guys I played with for six years.”

But what trumps that are Sunday’s stakes.

The first-place Chargers (5-1) could drop Kansas City (2-3) 3 1-2 games off the AFC West lead with their sixth straight win.

“I didn’t have it circled, but it’s a big game,” Flowers said. “It’s a division opponent and we got to make it happen on Sunday.”

Linebacker Jerry Attaochu (hamstring) didn’t practice this week and is listed as doubtful. Designated as out are running backs Ryan Mathews (knee) and Donald Butler (concussion) and linebacker Manti Te’o (foot).

Fines

The $25,000 fine assessed to Cincinnati linebacker Vontaze Burfict was confirmed Friday by the NFL.

Burfict was fined for twisting an opponent’s leg twice after the play was over in the third and fourth quarters of a 37-37 tie with Carolina. Panthers tight end Greg Olsen had hoped that the league would suspend Burfict, who has a history of personal fouls.

Chicago Bears safety Ryan Mundy was fined $22,050 for striking a defenseless player in the head and neck area in a 27-13 win at Atlanta.

Fined $8,268 each were Denver Broncos linebacker Lamin Barrow for throwing a punch against the Jets, and New York Giants center Weston Richburg for striking an opponent late.

Etc.

Green Bay Packers cornerback Sam Shields has been ruled out of Sunday’s game against Carolina because of a knee injury. Fellow starting cornerback Tramon Williams is questionable for the game after suffering an ankle injury against the Dolphins. Williams has missed only one game in his eight-year pro career. ... No. 1 overall draft pick Jadeveon Clowney returned to practice Friday and hopes to play on Monday night when his Houston Texans visit Pittsburgh. Clowney practiced Friday in a limited capacity for the first time since the arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. ...

For the second straight week, the Bears will be without starting linebacker Lance Briggs due to a rib injury. ... Minnesota Vikings Coach Mike Zimmer underwent a “minor” medical procedure Friday, according to the team. His absence was only expected to last one day. The team did not divulge details about Zimmer’s condition or the precise nature of the operation, but offensive coordinator Norv Turner said Zimmer was “doing great” after the unplanned procedure.... The Cleveland Browns have placed Pro Bowl center Alex Mack on injured reserve with a broken left leg, officially ending his season. ...

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay is donating $10,000 to Cincinnati’s Children’s Hospital Medical Center in support of the 4-year-old daughter of Bengals defensive lineman Devon Still. Leah Still was diagnosed with cancer four months ago, and Devon has been selling his No. 75 jersey for $100 as part of the team’s campaign to raise money for the hospital.