Chargers : McKnight Signed, but Bernstine Still on Hold

Despite owner Alex Spanos’ statement Thursday that the Chargers might trade No. 1 draft choice Rod Bernstine if he did not agree to a contract by Sunday, there was little progress reported by either side as of Sunday evening.

However, veteran guard Dennis McKnight signed a multi-year contract. He took his physical Sunday morning and practiced Sunday afternoon. McKnight, 27, has started 49 straight games and played in 71 straight, both team highs. He is beginning his sixth year with the Chargers.

Director of football operations Steve Ortmayer said he could not reach Bernstine’s agent, Rod Cindrich, until Saturday night. But Ortmayer said he and Cindrich spent “a lot of time” on the phone Saturday night and Sunday.

“We’re doing everything we can to get the deal closed,” Ortmayer said. “Both sides have made some proposals that have made the gap smaller than it was.”

Spanos had said earlier in the week he would consider trading the tight end from Texas A&M.; Ortmayer said several teams had contacted him about a trade, but he wouldn’t name them.

Cindrich said Sunday that he and Ortmayer had talked about a trade but that Ortmayer asked him not to discuss the subject.

Ortmayer would only say: “If it becomes apparent that we can’t close this deal--and I’m not saying when that is--then we will pursue other options.”

Cindrich said he planned to talk to Ortmayer again Sunday night.

“If anything happens, it won’t be until Monday,” Cindrich said. “I don’t have any plans to fly out there or anything like that.”

Ortmayer also reported that he had talked with defensive end Earl Wilson, who is unsigned but who showed up at Charger camp Saturday.

“Earl is getting squared away with his agent (Mark Demoff),” Ortmayer said. “We are building a good rapport. Earl did not know me before this year. We’re trying to get Earl on the field as soon as possible.”

Linebacker Billy Ray Smith’s agent, George Kalafitias, is scheduled to fly in from Cleveland to meet with Ortmayer Monday to discuss signing Smith.

Although there is no agreement on a contract yet, Ortmayer said, “I think that it is a good sign that Kalafitias is coming to San Diego. I think that he felt that something could get worked out.”

There’s been no progress in signing linebacker Thomas Benson.

Nose tackle Chuck Ehin will probably have surgery today to remove a bone spur from his ankle, Coach Al Saunders said.

Ehin has missed practice for a few days because of “discomfort” in his ankle. Team doctors took X-rays and found the bone spur.

Ehin had had the same type of surgery during last season’s training camp, and it took him about a week to recover. It is expected to take about that long for him to recover this time, as well.

“He has been playing on it for a while, and doctors thought it best to take care of it now.”

Charger Notes

Injury update: Tackle Jim Lachey (bruised leg) and guard Ken Dalifor (strained knee) did not practice Sunday . . . Tight end Malcolm Moore had fluid drained from his knee and did not practice. Kellen Winslow missed practice for the same reason earlier in the week. With Rod Bernstine unsigned and Pete Holohan limited to jogging because of a strained groin muscle, the Chargers had only two tight ends at practice Sunday: Eric Sievers and rookie Kevin Ferguson . . . Running back Gary Anderson is up and walking after having surgery to remove bone chips from his ankle on Tuesday. Saunders said he probably will not practice until after Saturday’s preseason game against Dallas . . . Outside linebacker Chip Banks (tendinitis in the Achilles’ tendon) is on the same 7- to 10-day rest plan as Anderson. He probably won’t practice until after Saturday, either . . . Quarterback Mark Herrmann practiced for the first time since injuring his thumb Wednesday in a scrimmage against Dallas.