Charger Notebook : Hendy Sidelined With Knee Injury

Charger safety John Hendy suffered strained ligaments in his right knee during Monday afternoon’s practice and will be sidelined for an undetermined time.

He will be examined this morning by Dr. Gary Losse, team physician.

“We won’t know how bad he is until (this) morning,” said Mark Howard, team trainer.

Hendy, who had been sidelined with a dislocated shoulder suffered in voluntary workouts before training camp, was participating in his first full-contact practice. He said he was injured while landing after colliding with Curtis Adams on a pass play.

Hendy is the second Charger regular to be injured during practice. Running back Lionel James suffered a sprained knee two weeks ago and is expected to miss another week.

How did Hendy’s knee compare to James’ at the time of injury?

“It’s a little more sore,” Howard said. “I’ll let you know more in the morning.”

Hendy, a second-year player from Cal State Long Beach, was much more quiet than usual at dinner Monday.

“It’s sore,” Hendy said. “But it’s not bringing tears to my eyes.”

Charger Notes The Chargers have expressed interest in four USFL players--cornerback Vito McKeever (Oakland), defensive lineman John Walker (Baltimore) and linebackers Gary Plummer (Oakland) and Mike Weddington (New Jersey). . . . Ron Lynn, Charger defensive coordinator, coached McKeever and Plummer in Oakland. Lynn said McKeever was a good coverage player and Plummer was as good an inside linebacker as there was in the USFL. . . . The Chargers cut eight players Monday--defensive end John Andrews, cornerback Sean Dykes, wide receiver J.D. Esteban, nose tackle Scott Garnett, linebacker Mark McVeigh, kicker Jim Nielsen, wide receiver Joe Smith and free safety Mike Travis. . . . Nose tackle Kevin Lilly, who earlier failed his physical because of a leg injury, passed his physical and was added to the roster.