Charger Camp : Fouts Injury Apparently Not Severe

LA JOLLA — Quarterback Dan Fouts’ back injury apparently isn’t too severe, because he was seen playing a hard game of racquetball early Tuesday morning.

According to members of the North County Athletic Club in Encinitas, Fouts played racquetball, looked sharp and not did not appear to be hindered by any injuries.

Norman Potter of Encinitas said he and a friend saw most of Fouts’ match. “He played quite well,” he said. “No restrictions at all.”

Fouts, 36, who strained his back while working out last week, was scheduled to see a doctor Monday in Los Angeles. The Chargers have tried calling Fouts’ home, but have not been able to reach him. And Coach Al Saunders said the Chargers still don’t know the severity of Fouts’ injury.

The Chargers signed two more draft picks Tuesday: defensive end Karl Wilson (No. 3) from Louisiana State and safety Anthony Anderson (No. 10) from Grambling.

The Chargers initially offered Wilson a $75,000 signing bonus, plus contracts worth $80,000 in 1987, $90,000 in 1988, $110,000 in 1989 and an additional option year.

Anderson attended Tuesday afternoon’s workout. Wilson is expected to be at practice this morning.

So the only unsigned draft pick is tight end Rod Bernstine, the team’s No. 1 choice. Steve Ortmayer, director of football operations for the Chargers, spoke with Bernstine’s agent, Ralph Cindrich of Pittsburgh, Monday night and again Tuesday.

“I don’t see anything earth-shattering happening right now,” Cindrich said. “It’s not one of those things you can agree to over the telephone. We’d have to be face-to-face.”

Cindrich said he asked Ortmayer about possibly doing the negotiations in Pittsburgh, and Ortmayer said he would go there if necessary.

“I’d go tonight if I thought we could get him signed tonight,” Ortmayer told reporters Tuesday.

The following veterans are also unsigned: linebacker Thomas Benson, nose tackle Chuck Ehin, center Don Macek, guard Dennis McKnight, linebacker Billy Ray Smith and defensive end Earl Wilson.

Of the six, Ortmayer sounded most concerned about signing Wilson. He said Wilson doesn’t seem to have an agent, and the Chargers haven’t been able to reach Wilson over the phone.

Veterans are due to report to camp Friday.

Saunders said Tuesday that defensive end Leslie O’Neal, who underwent reconstructive knee surgery late last season, will not be rushed back this season. For the second time since the injury, O’Neal last week underwent “routine” arthroscopic surgery to have scar tissue removed.

“It was nothing out of the ordinary at all,” Saunders said of the surgery. “Kellen Winslow had the same thing done to him when he was coming back from a knee injury. But our position (with O’Neal) is whatever time he needs to be able to play is fine with us. It would be inappropriate for us to make him play before he’s ready.

“As of right now, his rehabilitation is on schedule. But to make a prognosis for this year is probably premature. My feeling is he probably won’t (play). Usually, that’s an injury that takes a year to heal. And if it takes a year, that would bring him back with two weeks to go (in the season). So there’s no reason to push him. If he does (play), great. But we’re not anticipating it.”

Charger Notes

Injuries: Safety Vencie Glenn (groin) and wide receiver Clarence Collins missed Tuesday’s workouts, but neither injury is serious. . . . Center David Diaz-Infante of San Jose State originally failed his physical last week and was waived. But his leg problems have improved, and he passed his physical when he took it a second time. He suited up Tuesday.