Pro Football

Charger nose tackle Joe Phillips, who hasn’t played since a Sept. 26 assault outside a restaurant, is locked in a bitter dispute over payment of this year’s salary. Phillips, a starter the past two seasons, is recovering from severe head injuries he suffered in the beating.

Phillips is on the reserve--non-football injury list. He’s scheduled to earn $315,000 in base pay this year. The club’s offer amounts to $157,500.