PRO FOOTBALL REPORT / WEEKDAY UPDATE : CHARGERS : Byrd Says He’ll Play Sunday; Glenn’s Status Still Uncertain

Cornerback Gill Byrd says the groin strain he suffered in Friday’s practice is one small injury among many and won’t prevent him from playing in Sunday’s game against the Raiders at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium.

“I have a pulled groin, a sore ankle, a bad neck, a finger that won’t straighten out,” he said. “That’s football. No need for concern. I’m fine.”

That’s a good thing for the Chargers, because safety Vencie Glenn (hamstring) didn’t practice all week, and Coach Dan Henning isn’t sure he’ll be available Sunday. Glenn isn’t sure, either.

Without Glenn, the Chargers could have trouble with the Raider passing game. Mervyn Fernandez has 28 receptions for 522 yards, Willie Gault 20 for 371 yards.

“They’ve got speed, speed and more speed,” Glenn said. “I’d probably say the best group of receivers is the Redskins, but (the Raiders) are the fastest group.”

Henning explained at Friday’s Charger BAckers luncheon why he isn’t partial to the shotgun formation.

“In the last 12 years the 49ers have won the Super Bowl four times,” he said. “The Redskins have won the Super Bowl twice. The Raiders have won the Super Bowl twice. That’s eight out of the last 11. And they’re the only teams in the league that don’t run the shotgun. I don’t see any real reason to jump on the bandwagon with those people who haven’t won it.”

Quarterback Billy Joe Tolliver wouldn’t mind jumping on the bandwagon. “We tried to get it in,” Tolliver said. “Everything on this team is a democracy expect when Dan doesn’t want it. Dan just doesn’t believe in it.”

What’s all the fuss about running back Rod Bernstine not getting in on enough of the action? Bernstine said he would be agreeable to a trade last week if the Chargers weren’t able to work him in on more offensive plays.

Henning checked the statistic book and discovered Bernstine has touched the ball more in his past 11 games than in the previous 30 he played. This season, Bernstine has rushed 39 times for 212 yards and caught five passes for 23 yards.

Linebacker Billy Ray Smith (abdominal strain) won’t play this weekend, but Henning says he might be ready for the game Oct. 28 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. . . . The status of receivers Walter Wilson (ankle and knee) and Nate Lewis (thigh) is still uncertain for Sunday.