PRO FOOTBALL REPORT / WEEKDAY UPDATE : CHARGERS : Patten Making Comeback Attempt

Joel Patten, the team’s starting left tackle last year, returned to practice Thursday for the first time this season.

Patten underwent arthroscopic knee surgery before training camp and remains on injured reserve.

“He’s been advised to either retire or play,” Coach Dan Henning said. “And he says he wants to play. So he’s back in practice, and we’ll see how he does with it.”

Patten said there is a difference between “irritation and pain,” and Thursday he experienced irritation in his knee.

“We did everything we could do to it outside of football, now it’s time to see how it returns,” Patten said.

“I guess if I wanted to classify it as a career-ending injury I could have. There was no way I could leave the game of football without knowing myself whether or not I can still play.”

John Hendy, a former Charger defensive back who was released in 1987 after twice suffering knee injuries, has the right to go ahead with a potential $3 million suit against a team doctor, a state appellate court in San Diego ruled this week.

Reversing a ruling by San Diego Superior Court Judge William C. Pate, the 4th District Court of Appeal said a company-employed doctor can be held accountable for malpractice even though the state labor code technically exempts “co-employees” from liability.

The decision, issued Tuesday, means Hendy can pursue the case against Dr. Gary Losse.

Hendy, from Cal State Long Beach, was drafted by the Chargers in 1985 and played that season for them. He injured the knee in August 1986, missed the entire season, then reinjured it in May, 1987. He was cut by the Chargers that September.

Weight Watchers? Tight end Derrick Walker dropped eight pounds in a hot, two-hour practice, and tight end Joe Caravello lost nine.

The troubled Steelers will play without starting left guard John Rienstra, who injured a knee Wednesday, and reserve linebacker A.J. Jenkins, who wrenched a knee Thursday.

Henning said the Chargers will be without wide receiver and kick returner Nate Lewis, who continues to recover from a quadriceps muscle pull.

Backup Steeler quarterback Rick Strom, a second-year free agent from Georgia Tech, has been taking half the snaps in practice this week, although Bubby Brister still is expected to start.

Strom replaced Brister last week with 8:21 remaining in the Steelers’ 28-6 loss to Miami. He completed five of seven passes for 76 yards after Brister hit seven of 18 for 76 yards and three interceptions. Brister has thrown six interceptions, and the Steelers have yet to score an offensive touchdown.