Chargers : Earl Wilson Shows Up; McKnight Near Signing

The Chargers moved closer to signing two of their five unsigned players Saturday.

Defensive end Earl Wilson, who had not talked with the Chargers for three months before Monday, finally showed up at camp Saturday. He arrived in San Diego Friday night from Lexington, Ky. He was not able to practice because he has not yet signed a contract.

Steve Ortmayer, director of football operations, also announced that guard Dennis McKnight has agreed to a multi-year contract, although he has not yet signed.

Wilson appeared Saturday afternoon and talked with Ortmayer and defensive line coach Gunther Cunningham.

“He looks like he is in great shape,” Ortmayer said. “What we have to do now is get a contract in place and get Earl on the field and working where he belongs. I always felt that we could put a deal in place that is fair to Earl.”

Wilson, a third-year pro who played college football at the University of Kentucky, said he could not elaborate on why he waited so long to report. He said he had been “all over the place” but mostly in Lexington.

“I’m not at liberty to talk about why I waited,” Wilson said. “The dust is still settling. I need to talk to the front office before I can talk about why.

“Coach Cunningham and I had a nice talk. I’m starting to get things squared away.”

There had been rumors previously that Wilson had decided that he did not want to play. But Wilson said those rumors were false.

“I’m here to play, most definitely,” he said. “As soon as I step on that field, I’m ready to play.”

Wilson does not have an agent, but he said he plans to find someone to represent him as soon as possible.

“It may take awhile,” he said.

Though he has not been at practice, Wilson said he weighed 290, only 10 pounds above his listed weight. He said that he had been working out on his own.

“I think I’m in good enough shape to make it through one practice at least,” Wilson said. “I don’t think it will take me too long to get back. I don’t think the (defensive) scheme has changed that much.”

Ortmayer said that McKnight should be on the field today. Ortmayer said that there was not one thing that led to the development, but just “back and forth negotiations and hard work by both sides.”

Neither McKnight nor his agent, Jim Steiner, was available for comment Saturday.

Ortmayer said he did not have any more news to report about the other unsigned players, Rod Bernstine, Thomas Benson or Billy Ray Smith.

Dan Fouts threw on the sidelines Saturday for about 15 minutes, a little longer than he had Friday, but he still did not participate in 7-on-7 drills.

Head coach Al Saunders said Fouts’ back was still sore, but the quarterback did not report any added pain from Friday’s light workout.

Injury update: Nose tackle Chuck Ehin did not practice Saturday because of “discomfort” in his ankle. Saunders said Ehin was kept out to determine the seriousness of the injury. . . . The swelling has gone down in the thumb of No. 2 quarterback Mark Herrmann, but Saunders said that Herrmann will not practice until he can get a grip on the ball, which should be Monday. Herrmann jogged and did sit-ups Saturday.