Charger Notebook : Abbott to Have Knee Surgery; DeLine Will Fill In

Charger kicker Vince Abbott’s injured right knee will need arthroscopic surgery.

That was the announcement Wednesday from special teams coach Wayne Sevier. Sevier said Steve (Toe) DeLine will replace Abbott until he can return.

Abbott injured the knee running downfield after a kickoff in Atlanta Sunday during the second quarter of the Chargers’ 10-7 victory. DeLine, beaten out by Abbott in the preseason, worked out for the coaching staff Wednesday.

“He wasn’t as accurate as he wanted to be,” Sevier said. “But he hasn’t been used to working with a new holder and snapper. I just told him I expect him to make PATs, short field goals and try to get everything off and away on time.”

Sevier said DeLine’s strength right now is his strength. “He has a fresh leg,” Sevier said. “You don’t find too many of those this time of year in the NFL.”

The Chargers haven’t placed Abbott on injured reserve. And Sevier said it’s possible he could return in 2 to 3 weeks. They’ll know more after the arthroscopy.

After 11 weeks:

--The Chargers rank 17th in the league in defense. But in the last 4 weeks, only Buffalo (29), the Raiders (36) and Indianapolis (50) have allowed fewer points than the Chargers (51).

--Charger running back Gary Anderson ranks sixth in AFC rushing (a jump of five places since last week) on the strength of his 145 yards last Sunday in Atlanta.

Charger Notes

The injury report for Sunday’s Rams-Chargers game in Anaheim: Chargers--kicker Vince Abbott (knee) questionable; linebacker David Brandon (groin) questionable; free safety Vencie Glenn (neck) questionable; defensive end Leslie O’Neal (knee) probable; linebacker Billy Ray Smith (toe) probable. Rams--linebacker Mel Owens (ankle) doubtful; linebacker Kevin Greene (leg) questionable; linebacker Anthony Newman (neck) probable. Neither Glenn nor Smith practiced Wednesday. “Precautionary measures,” Charger Coach Al Saunders said. “Both should be OK by Sunday and should be ready to go.” . . . Saunders says his No. 1 backup quarterback to starter Mark Vlasic is Mark Malone unless “we got an injury late in the game and there was one series to go.” In that case, Saunders said, he would probably opt for Babe Laufenberg. One of Laufenberg’s strengths is coming off the bench cold and heating up in a hurry.