PRO FOOTBALL REPORT : WEEKDAY UPDATE : CHARGERS : Smith Might Return to Lineup Shortly

The Chargers will take a practice look at linebacker Billy Ray Smith (abdominal muscle) today, but they appear to be laying the groundwork for his addition to the roster this week.

Smith, who had two interceptions in the first two games, has not played since the second week of the season.

Coach Dan Henning said rookie linebacker Jeff Mills was kept out of Sunday’s game against the Raiders because of a chronic hamstring problem. If Mills were to be placed on injured reserve, that would clear a roster spot for Smith.

Henning said he hasn’t made up his mind as to whether wide receiver Ron Heard will begin practice today, but Monday General Manager Bobby Beathard said practice squad wide receiver Dempsey Norman was released to clear the way for Heard’s return to practice.

Henning said he expects safety Vencie Glenn (hamstring) to play against Tampa Bay, but he doesn’t hold much hope for the return of safety Martin Bayless (ankle).

The Chargers drew more than 60,000 fans for the Raiders, but Jack Teele, assistant to the president, said the club expects a crowd of 45,000 for the game against the Bucs on Sunday at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium.

The game, therefore, will be blacked out locally on television.

Henning was asked for an update on nose tackle Joe Phillips, who was injured in an altercation outside a Mission Beach restaurant last month.

“I’m not sure how Joe Phillips is doing,” Henning said. “It’s been very quiet there, and he’s not taking calls or visitors. It has to do something with the case, and the protectiveness of his family for him at this point.

“We’re not all too sure how he’s doing except physically he’s had some repairs done, but not completely. I don’t believe we could count on Joe coming back this year. If it is possible, it could only be for one or two games.”

Henning said he talked to Phillips shortly after he was injured, but has not talked to him since.

At the weekly gathering of the Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Tuesday, Henning was asked for his viewpoint of the San Diego media in terms of the Civil War.

After being told that General William Sherman believed the media to be spies who gave away troop movements and military strategy, and General Jeb Stuart felt media coverage made him more intimidating to the enemy, Henning replied: “I would say that you would have to think Sherman was more like (Raider owner) Al Davis and Stuart was more like (Falcon Coach) Jerry Glanville.

“I would feel like the coverage here in San Diego is excellent,” he said, but as he walked from the room, Henning asked, “Wasn’t Stuart on the losing side and Sherman on the winning side?”