Charger Notebook : Fouts Improves, but He Still Won’t Start

At least one Charger headache temporarily disappeared Wednesday.

“This is the first day I haven’t had a headache,” quarterback Dan Fouts said as he left San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium.

However, he is still listed as questionable for Sunday’s game at Denver.

Fouts threw Wednesday for the first time since suffering his second concussion of the season 18 days ago at Kansas City.

Is it possible Fouts may start in place of Tom Flick?

“Heavens no,” Coach Al Saunders said. “Not at this point.”

Mark Herrmann, normally the second-string quarterback, is also questionable with a concussion. So, for now, Flick is the starter and Bruce Mathison the backup.

With four quarterbacks on their 45-man roster, the Chargers face another difficulty.

“It’s a logjam,” Saunders said. “Hopefully, Dan or Mark will come back soon. This situation leaves us one man short at another position.”

Fouts and Herrmann are among five Chargers listed as questionable for Sunday’s game. The others are linebackers Woodrow Lowe (groin) and Andy Hawkins (hamstring) and running back Tim Spencer (sprained right ankle and left foot). Spencer’s status may be upgraded later in the week, Saunders said. Center Don Macek (back) and safety Jeff Dale (ankle) are probable. Running back Buford McGee had surgery on both knees this week.

If Lowe or Hawkins is deemed unfit to play for more than two weeks, Saunders said the Chargers will likely make a roster move. Four unsigned players worked out with the team Wednesday--running backs Tony Body and Mike Waters and linebackers Fred Smalls and Guy Prather.

“I don’t know if any team in the league has been decimated as much as we have with critical injuries to critical positions,” Saunders said. “I don’t know about (overall) numbers. I think we have had more at critical positions. When you have your No. 1 and No. 2 quarterbacks and No. 1 center go down, it’s like losing your pitcher, catcher and second baseman in baseball.

“Over a period of time, people don’t get healthy as quickly when you are losing,” Saunders said. “They might take two weeks instead of one to come back. That’s why the new leadership has tried to instill an attitude of newness and freshness and change. Hopefully, some of those guys will come around a little quicker to get involved in the new attitude.”