Chargers’ Virgil Green just blocks out the rumors

Nine tight ends and 203 players were taken before him in the NFL draft.

So now, about to begin his eighth season, Virgil Green is hardly worried about a player who isn’t even with the Chargers at the moment.

“I’ve made it in this league by grinding,” he said. “I’ve gotten it through the gutter. Nothing’s been easy. Just staying on the grind and working hard. That’s how I make it every year.”

Free agent Antonio Gates remains an option for the Chargers, who could re-sign their longtime tight end any time in the next couple weeks and probably have him available for their season opener.

In the meantime, Green is the starter, and it doesn’t matter to him one bit what’s being reported or rumored.

“I just have to do my job,” he said. “I’ve never focused on what’s said in the media. I don’t care. I really don’t care. I gotta do my job.”

Having spent his first seven seasons with Denver, Green signed with the Chargers in March. His projected role couldn’t help but shift in May when Hunter Henry suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

“When we signed Virgil, we knew that he could be our No. 1 guy,” coach Anthony Lynn said. “He’s a really good combo tight end in the passing game and the run game.”

Known for his blocking, Green has only 71 career catches for 807 yards and four touchdowns. Henry eclipsed each of those numbers in two seasons with the Chargers.

Thanks largely to Gates, this team has made extensive use of its tight end in the passing game for years.

“Any tight end that can block in the National Football League can get a reputation as a blocker just because they can block, but he can also catch,” Lynn said of Green. “You’ll see.”

In the Chargers’ second preseason game Saturday against Seattle, Green had the only two tight end receptions. Just one other pass was thrown in the direction of a tight end.

As a seventh-round pick in 2011, Green understands the notion of being discounted. Yet entering this season, only one tight end from that draft — Green Bay’s Lance Kendricks — has appeared in more NFL games.

“Nobody really gave me a chance back then,” Green said. “They said every year, ‘This guy’s getting cut. This guy’s getting cut.’ I don’t pay attention to those things. I never have and won’t start now.”

First for James

Rookie safety Derwin James spent time working with the first-team defense Monday and intercepted Philip Rivers once.

“Every day the kid just makes another play,” Lynn said. “He’s getting better and better. We’re really confident he’s on the right track. I don’t know if he’s going to be there [as a starter on] day one, but right now he’s competing.”

James, the Chargers’ top pick in draft, played 29 and 39 snaps in the first two preseason games, respectively.

Offensive lineman Forrest Lamp also increased his participation, taking team reps for the first time in training camp. Lamp missed all of last season because of a torn anterior cruciate ligament in this right knee.

“It’s big,” Lynn said. “It’s good to see Forrest back out there.”

Practices with Saints

After their workout Tuesday, the Chargers will conclude the training camp portion of their preseason with joint practices in Costa Mesa against New Orleans on Wednesday and Thursday.

Then they will move into their regular-season facility in preparation for their final two preseason games.

“Those are like stealing game reps, even though you’re not live as far as contact,” Rivers said of the joint practices. “You’re getting to experience going against another defense. It turns into pretty much a game setting.”

The Chargers and Saints will meet at StubHub Center on Saturday in the third preseason game for both teams. This will mark the second consecutive year the teams have practiced together here.

“It was nice, clean, good hard work and no fighting,” Lynn said. “Those guys are well coached. We hope to do it every year with the Saints. It’s just a good coaching staff, and their players, they get it.”

Bosa back?

Lynn said defensive end Joey Bosa (foot injury) could return to practice Tuesday and cornerback Trevor Williams (ankle) could be back by the end of the week.

jeff.miller@latimes.com