Knee Injury Will Keep Charles Out of Game Against Broncos

Nose tackle Mike Charles, who has started the Chargers’ 11 non-strike games, has been deactivated because of a knee injury and will not play against the Broncos in Denver Sunday, Coach Al Saunders said Friday.

Saunders said Chuck Ehin would start in Charles’ place. Ehin was the starter before the Chargers acquired Charles on waviers from Tampa Bay during training camp.

Charles, who injured his right knee against Seattle five weeks ago, said he might require arthroscopic surgery to repair cartilage damage. Charles had been listed as probable Wednesday but was removed from the Chargers’ injury report Thursday despite not having practiced all week.

“I thought the knee would come along,” Charles said. “But it never got better. Some weeks it would hurt, but at least I could run on it; this week I couldn’t even do that.”

Charles is one of five players, including injured quarterback Dan Fouts (shoulder), who will not be activated for the game. Saunders said he has left it up to Fouts whether he will make the trip to Denver. Also on the deactivated list are inside linebacker Jeffrey Jackson, offensive lineman Sam Claphan and defensive end Dee Hardison, Saunders said.

Claphan has been replaced on the active list by center Don Macek, who missed last Sunday’s game against Indianapolis with a calf injury. Mark Vlasic has been activated to back up Mark Herrmann at quarterback, and defensive end Les Miller will take Charles’ place on the active list.