NOTEBOOK : CHARGER UPDATE : Henning Says Chargers Haven’t Improved Since Last Season

With less than two weeks remaining until the season opener at Pittsburgh, Charger Coach Dan Henning acknowledged that his team has not improved since the end of last season.

“At this point I don’t think we’re as good as we were at the end of last year,” he said. “If we were, I’d be shocked. I do think we have the possibility to be better at the end of this year than we were at the end of last year.”

The Chargers lost five of their last six games last year.

“We’re not even as good as that because we’re not in sync right now,” Henning said. “The potential is there, the talent is better. But it’s not ready yet.”

Henning said Leo Goeas, who had arthroscopic surgery on his knee two weeks ago, should practice this week and might play in Friday’s final exhibition game against the Raiders.

Cornerback Donald Frank (knee) and guard David Richards (leg) were injured Monday night, and their availability for Friday is uncertain.

Henning said he will probably play Billy Joe Tolliver in the first half Friday night, then attempt to get John Friesz and Bob Gagliano work in the second half. He added: “It looks like Tolliver is going to start the season for us.”

The Chargers released 15 free agents and placed four more on injured lists to reach the 60-roster limit.

Perhaps the biggest name on the list was wide receiver Troy Kyles, who was acquired in the off-season as a Plan B free agent from the New York Giants.

Also let go were: wide receivers Ron Heard and Elliot Searcy; H-back Duncan Burgermeister; running back Reggie McGill; defensive tackles Shane Elliot and Dean Brown; defensive ends Craig Lashley, LeAndre Anderson, Mike Davis and Rich Kaufusi; cornerbacks Kris McCall and Kim McCloud, linebacker Alema Fitisemanu and free safety John Wyche.

The team also placed tackle Darryl Jenkins and wide receiver David Jones on the physically unable to perform list and Derrick Kelson (foot) and Terry Beauford (back) on the injured reserve list.

One more player must be released by 1 p.m. today because of the Chargers’ acquisition of linebacker Mike Wilcher from the Rams.