Chargers Sign FitzPatrick, Reach Terms With James

The San Diego Chargers announced Friday they had signed first-round draft choice James FitzPatrick and had come to terms with Lionel James, the league’s leader in all-purpose yardage last season.

FitzPatrick, a 6-7, 295-pound tackle from the USC, was the Chargers’ second choice in the first round this year and was the 14th player taken in the draft. The Chargers’ other first-round pick, Oklahoma State defensive end Leslie O’Neal, remains unsigned.

James was in the option year of the three-year contract signed when he was drafted by the Chargers in the fifth round out of Auburn. He had been holding out in an attempt to secure a new deal.

John Sanders, Charger general manager, said James was flying to camp from his home in Georgia to sign a contract.

James set an NFL record for all-purpose yardage last season when he ran, caught passes and returned kicks for a total of 2,535 yards. He also set a league record for receiving yards by a running back with 1,027.