Charger Notebook : Vlasic Might Start for Rest of the Season

The Chargers, averaging a different starting quarterback every 3.67 games this season, will stick with Mark Vlasic for Sunday’s game against the Rams, Charger Coach Al Saunders said Monday.

That will make 2 weeks in a row for Vlasic, who started his first NFL game in Sunday’s 10-7 victory over the Atlanta Falcons. Vlasic, who replaced Mark Malone, who replaced Babe Laufenberg, completed 16 of 32 passes for 190 yards.

“Mark Vlasic did a real fine job,” Saunders said. “He showed a great deal of composure. We feel strongly that he’ll be able to get better each week and give our offense a chance to be more productive as the season goes on.”

But will he finish the season as the starter?

“Unless something really happens from a negative standpoint where he isn’t playing well enough to give us an opportunity to win,” Saunders said. “We see no reason why he shouldn’t continue to play in the same role that he’s playing right now.”

Vlasic faced the Rams during the exhibition season, completing 4 of 13 passes for 101 yards Aug. 13 at Anaheim. Vlasic’s only other regular-season action came last season during a Denver blizzard, when he completed 3 of 6 passes for 8 yards.

Saunders credited Malone and Laufenberg for helping Vlasic make the transition from backup to starter.

“They were very, very supportive of Mark,” Saunders said. “They’re some class men. They were very helpful to him on the sidelines.”

Saunders said Charger kicker Vince Abbott is questionable for Sunday’s game. Abbott sustained a knee sprain with possible cartilage damage during a second-quarter kickoff Sunday.

If Abbott is unable to play, the Chargers will either bring in a temporary replacement or use punter Ralf Mojsiejenko.

Mojsiejenko was 35 of 53 on field goal attempts at Michigan State, including a 61-yarder on his first career attempt in 1982.

Charger free safety Vencie Glenn suffered a neck injury in the first half against Atlanta and also is questionable for Sunday.

Defensive end Leslie O’Neal had some swelling around his knee but is probable for Sunday.