PRO FOOTBALL REPORT : WEEKDAY UPDATE : CHARGERS : Spencer Might Return to Team

The Chargers have put running back Tim Spencer on notice: They may be calling with a job offer today.

Spencer, a five-year performer for the team before being released this preseason, appears to be the leading candidate to replace injured Joe Mickles on the team’s roster.

“I’d say it’s better than 50-50,” General Manager Bobby Beathard said. “In fact, he was over here today, and he said he’s been working out hard every day. He’d be the only guy if we bring somebody in from the outside; there are no other names being considered right now.”

Spencer, who was one of the more popular players in the Chargers’ locker room, was a valuable special teams performer for the club last season. He made the transition to H-back in training camp after gaining 1,792 yards on 474 carries as a running back.

Beathard said Spencer has had tryouts with the Redskins and 49ers.

Beathard said the Chargers considered activating wide receiver Ron Heard off injured reserve last week but do not appear to be leaning toward doing so now.

Coach Dan Henning said the team is not considering activating quarterback John Friesz, although he is healthy and has been practicing.

“Spencer’s the most likely,” Beathard said.

On his first play for the Chargers after being signed as a free-agent running back earlier in the week, Mickles ran down the field without incident as John Carney’s kick was downed in the end zone.

On his second play, he went 10 yards and fell.

“That was the most running I had done since training camp,” he said. “I was running and just heard something pop. I tried to hold my lane, but I had nothing to support myself with and went down.”

Mickles, who was released during the preseason by the Chargers, injured a quadriceps muscle. He was on crutches Monday and will be placed on injured reserve.

“I guess it wasn’t meant for me to play football this year,” he said. “But I’ll be back.”

Henning said linebackers Billy Ray Smith and Gary Plummer will be listed as questionable for Sunday’s game with the Jets.

Smith suffered a hyper-extended elbow; Plummer had a pinched nerve in his shoulder.

“They don’t think there’s a tear,” said Smith, “so that was good news. I’m optimistic at this point that I’ll play Sunday.”

Plummer was injured in the first half, but played on with a sore shoulder. “It’s only going to get better,” he said.

In a 31-14 victory over Seattle three weeks ago, Charger wide receiver Quinn Early caught three passes for 55 yards, including a 45-yard touchdown from Billy Joe Tolliver.

On Sunday in a rematch with the Seahawks, Early’s name appeared on the National Football League’s official game summary under the category: “Did not play.”

Early was healthy and ready but was bypassed in favor of rookie wide receiver Nate Lewis. Lewis caught one pass for six yards.

“Early didn’t play because Nate played,” Henning said. “We felt like Nate warranted the starting job for this game, and the situation didn’t present itself for Quinn to get in there at wide receiver.”

Suspended linebacker Jeff Mills rejoined the team Monday, and his agent, Frank Murtha, arrived to meet with the Chargers. The team’s third-round draft pick lost a week’s pay for missing practice and team meetings. He remains on injured reserve with a hamstring injury, although he now is eligible to return for duty.