Chargers Will Keep Walters
Charger cornerback Danny Walters, who was arrested Monday on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol and possession of cocaine, will remain a member of the team unless he is convicted of drug charges or fails a drug test, the team announced Wednesday.
Walters is being treated on an outpatient basis by team doctor E. Lee Rice, said Steve Ortmayer, Charger director of football operations. If Rice, who will consult National Football League drug advisers, determines that Walters is fit to play Sunday against St. Louis, then Walters will be allowed to play.
Rice was unavailable for comment, but a team source said Wednesday evening that Walters likely will play.
“(Doctors) feel it’s in his best interest to play,” said the source.
Walters, who was arrested at 3 a.m. Monday for driving under the influence and for possession of 1.7 grams of rock cocaine, passed a drug test Tuesday. Because of the result, owner Alex Spanos said he agreed to keep Walters on the team.
“He passed our tests,” Spanos said Wednesday. “That doesn’t mean we condone what he did. I mean, he’ll still be prosecuted on drug possession and drunk driving. But I’m not going to convict him before he’s convicted. Hey, let’s be fair about this.”
Walters, who attended team meetings Wednesday, declined comment.
According to San Diego Police Lt. Louis Scanlon, no further charges are expected to be filed against Walters. According to a team source, Walters told Charger officials that the cocaine found on him Monday morning was not his. He said it belonged to a female passenger in his car.
Scanlon, however, said that the cocaine was found on Walters and that the woman was not arrested.
Scanlon also said a continuing investigation could link other Charger players to drug activity.
“But let’s put it this way,” Scanlon said. “It’s not something we’re going to make arrests on tomorrow.”
In other developments, the Chargers signed veteran cornerback Charles Romes, recently waived by Kansas City. Romes was given a tryout last Friday, before Walters’ arrest, so Ortmayer said his signing is not a direct result of the Walters incident.
“It’s good to have him, no matter what the situation,” Ortmayer said. “We feel we need as much coverage potential as we can get. We felt perhaps we needed more speed in several areas--in the secondary and on special teams.”
Romes, 32, started 137 consecutive games until last Sunday, the NFL’s second-longest streak. Walter Payton has started 168 straight games.
“It felt strange being at home last week,” said Romes, who led the Buffalo Bills in interceptions the last three seasons.
Buffalo traded Romes to the Chiefs during the off-season, but Kansas City Coach Frank Gansz said the final roster spot came down to either Romes or second-year cornerback J.C. Pearson.
In the last two weeks, Romes tried out for the New York Giants, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Chargers. The Buccaneers and the Chargers offered him contracts, but he said: “Only San Diego really seemed interested. They’re a young team, and I thought there was a better chance with them. I can help. I can make big plays.”
Romes flew to San Diego Wednesday morning, signed a one-year contract and was out practicing about a half-hour late. He was joined by fellow cornerbacks Daniel Hunter, Gill Byrd and Lou Brock.
Romes took the roster spot of defensive end Earl Wilson, who was waived by the team Monday.
Wilson was arrested Tuesday afternoon for furnishing undercover police with rock cocaine, police said. He was released early Wednesday morning after posting $5,000 bond.
Said Gunther Cunningham, Charger defensive line coach: “How bad did Earl play Sunday? Real bad. He scored a 23% (out of 100). In my book, 75% is good; 50% is really poor; and 49% says waivers on it.”
Cunningham said Terry Unrein probably would start in Wilson’s place as the starting right defensive end.
Chargers Notes
Coach Al Saunders said it is almost “definite” that inside linebacker Thomas Benson will be activated to start Sunday’s game, and someone will have to be waived or placed on injured reserve to make room. . . . Saunders had news on two injured players. Guard James FitzPatrick, who missed last week’s game with a knee infection, is the only Charger listed on this week’s injury report. According to Saunders, he is doubtful for Sunday’s game, even though he might resume running at Friday’s practice. Also, strong safety Jeffrey Dale visited a San Francisco doctor about his bad back this week, but tests were inconclusive. Dale, a starter last year who is now on the injured reserve list, will undergo more tests this coming Monday.