Chargers : Injury Expected to Sideline Bernstine for Week

Charger Coach Al Saunders said Friday that the only injury of concern after Thursday night’s 17-3 exhibition loss to the 49ers is tight end Rod Bernstine’s recurring hamstring injury.

Bernstine, the team’s top draft choice, first pulled his right hamstring in the Chargers’ rookie mini-camp. He had complained about tightness after last Sunday’s game against the Rams, and Thursday night he felt stiffness again and came out early. Saunders expects Bernstine to miss a week of action.

“We’re hoping he’ll be ready to go by Kansas City (the season opener Sept. 13),” Saunders said. “He’s shown us he has the ability to play in this league.”

Saunders will meet with the offensive coaches at 9 a.m. today and the defensive coaches at 10 a.m. to decide on roster cuts. He expects that the number of players the team will release will be “a handful if not more.” The team must cut its roster to 60 by Tuesday. There are currently 89 players on the roster.

Saunders said he has been pleased with the performance of the first-team defense.

“Other teams have yet to score a touchdown on our first unit of defense,” he said. He singled out Mike Charles, Earl Wilson, Angelo Snipes and Karl Wilson.

Saunders said that outside linebacker Billy Ray Smith, who on Thursday played in his first exhibition game this season, looked a little rusty and that it was evident Smith had not had a lot of practice time. Smith rejoined the team this week after agreeing to contract terms Monday.

On offense, Saunders praised the play of tackle James FitzPatrick, who recently returned to action after having arthroscopic knee surgery Aug. 12. Saunders also mentioned the performance of Dennis McKnight, the Chargers’ starting guard who played center against the 49ers.

Saunders said he was disappointed with the running game. Barry Redden carried the ball 15 times for 16 yards.

“He wasn’t as productive as he wanted to be or as we wanted him to be,” Saunders said. “But it’s a different line and a different scheme for him.”

Contract negotiations with linebacker Thomas Benson were postponed until late Friday night because the player’s flight from Oklahoma was delayed. Benson and his agent, Steve Feldman, and Steve Ortmayer, Charger director of football operations, were expected to talk past midnight, Feldman said. Benson is the Chargers’ only unsigned player.