PRO FOOTBALL REPORT / WEEKDAY UPDATE : CHARGERS : Rod Bernstine Still Bothered by Hamstring

Rod Bernstine’s hamstring is still bothering him, which probably means Ronnie Harmon will get increased playing time at running back for the second week in a row when the Chargers (5-5) play Sunday at Kansas City.

Coach Dan Henning said he wasn’t sure if Bernstine would be able to play, though Bernstine said he felt a lot better in practice Wednesday than he did last week, when he could barely walk. Marion Butts, the starting running back who didn’t start last week because of a thigh bruise, is likely to start Sunday.

Harmon replaced Butts as the starter in Sunday’s 19-7 victory over Denver and had a season-high 10 carries for a 7.1-yard average. Harmon has carried 39 times in 10 games, which isn’t a lot, but considering he had a total of 17 carries all of last season in Buffalo, he isn’t complaining.

Besides, anything is better than Buffalo. This is his explanation for why he didn’t play more while with the Bills: “Because the coach didn’t like me and the quarterback didn’t like me. It wasn’t a matter of whether I could play or not it was a matter of if they wanted me in there or not. And that’s just the way it went.”

Being a Charger is different.

“Everybody is here to play football, not to see who likes who,” Harmon said. “You come here to work. That’s it. After that you go your separate ways. It shouldn’t matter whether you like that person or not. As long as you do your job on the field that’s all that matters.”

H-back Joe Caravello, who suffered a season-ending injury to his kneecap in practice three weeks ago, paid a visit to the Charger locker room. He was on crutches.

Wearing a brace that looked big enough for a redwood tree, Caravello said he feels bad not to be a part of the recent winning streak. That doesn’t mean he’s sorry they’ve picked up steam since he went down.

“I hope they go to the playoffs,” he said. “That’s the only way I can make any more incentives.”

Caravello, who had surgery two weeks ago, has begun rehabilitation but won’t be healthy enough to play football for at least three months.

Punter John Kidd switched dressing chambers Wednesday in search of a little solitude. He used to be next to kicker John Carney. No more.

Carney kicked four field goals in Sunday’s victory over the Broncos and there were so many reporters crowded around Carney that Kidd couldn’t get to his locker.

Wait long, John?

“At least two or three minutes,” he said. “At least .”

As Kidd was moving his stuff Wednesday, Carney said: “The man eats my Danish (pastry) and reads my newspaper and now he’s dogging me.”

But at least Carney will have more room to hold court.

“He’s going to convert this locker into a podium with a microphone,” Kidd said. “There just wouldn’t be room for all my stuff.”

Chargers questionable for Sunday’s game: Bernstine (hamstring), linebacker Richard Brown (thigh), Butts (thigh), cornerback Gill Byrd (ankle), safety Vencie Glenn (thigh), guard David Richards (shin).

Kansas City Chief injuries: Center Tim Grunhard (thumb), safety Jeff Donaldson (knee), and linebacker Dino Hackett (shoulder) are all questionable.

Quick statistic: Dan Fouts is one of 10 NFL quarterbacks who has passed for more than 30,000 career yards. Fouts (43,040) reached this mark in 131 games, fewer than any of the others. John Unitas (40,239) reached this mark in 141 games, Joe Montana (33,889) in 147.