NOTEBOOK : CHARGER UPDATE : Injuries Heal in Time for Final Exhibition

After a training camp full of nagging injuries, the Chargers are close to having a complete team for the final exhibition game, tonight at 7, against the Raiders at Jack Murphy Stadium.

Right tackle Mike Zandofsky (knee) and linebacker Galand Thaxton (knee) probably are the only Chargers unable to play tonight. Coach Dan Henning said he expects linebacker Billy Ray Smith and offensive tackle Leo Goeas to see some action. Smith and Goeas have missed most of training camp with knee injuries.

Henning said he will also try to watch newcomers Cedric Mack and Mike Wilcher, who were acquired in waiver deals during the week. Mack will play cornerback and Wilcher outside linebacker.

To make room for Mack on the 60-man roster, the Chargers released free-agent linebacker DeWayne Odom, a rookie from Cal.

Rookie wide receiver Joe Weinberg, an 11th-round pick from Johnson C. Smith, was waived in order to make room for wide receiver Shawn Jefferson, who was acquired in the Lee Williams trade.

Henning said quarterback Billy Joe Tolliver will play at least the first half and possibly the entire game. He said he would try to get John Friesz and Bob Gagliano some work too, but that will be dictated by how many plays the offense runs in the first half.

General Manager Bobby Beathard said he was expecting to speak with Leigh Steinberg, Marion Butts’ agent, last night or today.

Steinberg has said he will attend tonight’s Raiders-Chargers game.

Appearing on XTRA-AM radio station’s morning show, Steinberg said he would donate $10,000 a day, beginning Monday, to the endangered species fund at San Diego Zoo for every day Butts held out. Dan and Bob Butt, who run the morning show, have been sitting on an island at Sea World for two days because of Butts’ holdout. They have vowed not get off the island until Butts reports.