Charger Notebook : Smith Injures Left Leg; Could Miss 10 Days
As if the Chargers needed any more problems, linebacker Billy Ray Smith pulled up lame in the middle of Monday’s practice.
Smith pulled his left calf muscle and said team physician Dr. Gary Losse estimated he would be sidelined for a week to 10 days.
The injury occurred after Smith intercepted a pass during seven-on-seven drills.
“It was really weird, because we had stretched and warmed up,” Smith said. “I’ve never even pulled a hamstring. I intercepted the ball, turned around and it just went. It felt like someone kicked me.”
David Brandon, Johnny Taylor and Keith Browner will likely get more playing time during Smith’s absence.
Coach Al Saunders didn’t seem overly concerned.
“Smith will be fine,” Saunders said. “He’s a tough guy. He’s probably just looking for a way to get a rest.”
Although the first mandatory cut-down date isn’t until Tuesday, when the Chargers must trim their roster to 60 players, the team announced eight cuts Monday: linebackers Thomas Briehl, Kyle Borland, Avon Riley, defensive back Nelson Jones, running backs Eric Franklin, Kenny Jackson, tight end Robert Hudson and wide receiver Tim Moffett.
Saunders said the team will probably make more cuts later this week.
Monday’s moves leave the Chargers with 90 players still in camp and 94 on their roster.
Defensive ends Lee Williams and Joe Phillips, running back Curtis Adams and linebacker Chip Banks continue to hold out.
Steve Ortmayer, director of football operations, said he is getting closer to an agreement with Williams, however.
“We’ve worked awfully hard on it in the last two or three days,” Ortmayer said.
There is no new movement among the other three, however.
“I’d like to work awfully hard on the other three, too, but it doesn’t seem to be in the cards for now,” Ortmayer said.
At this point in training camp, predicting who will make the final roster would be mere speculation. But rookie receiver Darren Flutie has earned some praise for his play during the first two exhibition games.
Against Dallas, the 5-foot 10-inch, 194-pounder caught four passes for 66 yards, including one touchdown pass. At Los Angeles, he caught three passes for 43 yards.
Flutie is also making a name for himself on special teams. He saw action against Los Angeles on the kickoff and punt coverage teams and on the kickoff and punt return teams.
“We knew he’d be a solid return man,” said Wayne Sevier, special teams coach. “But we wanted to see if he could fill roles on the coverage and blocking teams.”
Flutie debuted in those roles against the Rams and passed the test.
“He has to improve, but he did well,” Sevier said.
Flutie nearly returned a punt for a touchdown against the Rams late in the fourth quarter. He broke free up the middle for 42 yards, to the Ram 30, but fumbled.
Quarterback Steve Fuller was excused from Monday’s practice for personal reasons.
The former Bear has yet to play in an exhibition game, leaving him the odd man out in the Charger quarterback derby.
Ortmayer said Fuller has not formally requested a trade, but said, “I think he is checking out his situation as best he can with the coaching staff and with himself. He’s talked about several different possibilities.”
Ortmayer didn’t say what those possibilities might be.
Charger Notes
Billy Ray Smith wasn’t the only casualty from Monday’s practice. Receiver Rod Bernstine and running back Barry Redden also left practice early with injuries. Bernstine split open the skin between two fingers on his left hand catching a pass, and Redden, who already has a cracked navicular bone in his left hand, left with a sore knee. . . . Despite the hand injury, Redden, playing with a soft cast and tape covering the hand, led San Diego rushers against Los Angeles with 25 yards on 8 carries. “He probably ran as well as at any time since he’s been here,” Coach Al Saunders said. . . . Offensive lineman John Clay, out with a hip injury, is expected back later this week. “He needs to be out here,” Saunders said.