PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE NFL : Scuffle Among Chargers Confirmed

Bobby Beathard, general manager of the San Diego Chargers, confirmed that a scuffle occurred between linebacker Leslie O’Neal assistant coach Mike Haluchak, but he declined to comment on reports that Coach Dan Henning fined O’Neal.

The scuffle reportedly occurred when O’Neal interceded in a shouting match between Haluchak and linebacker Henry Rolling at halftime of the Chargers’ 30-24 overtime loss to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

Said Henning: “It’s disappointing it got in the paper. I’m not going to discuss what takes place in our locker room. That’s our private business.”

Running back Derrick Fenner of the Seattle Seahawks, sidelined last week because of tendinitis in his right knee, will be back in the starting lineup Sunday against the Chargers.

Vinny Testaverde has been dropped to No. 3 quarterback by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The 1986 Heisman Trophy winner isn’t even scheduled to suit up for the team’s game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday.

Chris Chandler will start and second-year pro Jeff Carlson will back him up. Testaverde hasn’t played since chipping a bone in his right thumb Oct. 6.

Testaverde hasn’t practiced this week but says the thumb on his throwing hand has healed enough to play against the Packers. He said he is not sure if Coach Richard Williamson decided to start Chandler because of his thumb or if the Buccaneers have lost confidence in him.

New England Coach Dick MacPherson, whose team plays host to Denver Sunday, doesn’t think quarterback John Elway’s play-calling has much to do with the Broncos’ success.

“If John Elway wants to draw up an offense and go on the football field and run that offense, I would love to play against him,” MacPherson said.

“You call it anything you want to, but I think the people who call their own plays are not utilizing the people they have, and that is the offensive coaching staff.”