PRO FOOTBALL REPORT : WEEKDAY UPDATE : AROUND THE NFL : Tolliver to Start for Chargers

Billy Joe Tolliver will start at quarterback for the San Diego Chargers Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals, regaining the job he lost to Mark Vlasic during the exhibition season. Vlasic was 17 of 31 for 137 yards in a 17-14 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.

Tolliver, who completed 48% of his passes during exhibition games, was 2-3 in five starts last season.

He was unimpressive during the exhibition season, completing only 48% of his passes. In the opener, he played in the final series, completing one of three passes. He was sacked once.

Because of the relative inexperience of Tolliver and Vlasic, the starting job might fluctuate through the season.

“I hope not. I wish it wasn’t that way but that’s the way it is,” Charger Coach Dan Henning said. “I had originally thought Billy would be our quarterback for this season. There wasn’t a great deal of evaluation (during the preseason) and in that area Mark outplayed Billy.”

“I still have a great deal of confidence in Mark. . . . But he just didn’t throw the ball as well in this (Dallas) game. At this point, since there is no legitimate way to have a long-term evaluation process, we’re going to go with Billy.”

In addition, the Chargers re-signed running back Darrin Nelson, filling the spot left vacant by Gerald Robinson, who went on injured reserve with a knee problem.