CHARGERS UPDATE : NOTEBOOK / T.J. SIMERS : Injuries Deplete Team’s Supply of Receivers for Chiefs Game
Quarterback John Friesz is ready to play, but will he have any targets Sunday when the Chargers take on the Chiefs in Kansas City?
Wide receiver Nate Lewis, who was going to fill the void left by Anthony Miller (torn quadriceps muscle), has been bothered by lingering headaches from a concussion he suffered in last week’s 9-7 loss to the Raiders.
Coach Dan Henning said Lewis was to undergo further testing Thursday.
Wide receiver Kitrick Taylor injured his knee earlier in the week, but practiced Thursday. Wide receiver Shawn Jefferson is healthy, but the coaching staff doesn’t appear to have taken notice.
The Chargers will add wide receiver Yancey Thigpen to the roster, but Henning said he will have to wait for the medical reports on Lewis before removing a player from the roster. Miller is the most likely candidate for injured reserve.
Cornerback Gill Byrd practiced Thursday and said he’s ready to return to the starting lineup.
“It’s sore, but I could play on it,” Byrd said. “If they let me start, I’m ready, but it’s their decision.”
Linebacker Henry Rolling, who has been bothered by a sprained ankle, might not dress for the game.
Punter John Kidd averaged 42 yards a punt through the first seven games of the season, and then suffered a pulled muscle.
In the last six weeks Kidd has averaged 35.4 yards a kick, including last week’s 30.5-yard average on six punts.
“I’d say I’m not a 100%, but I’m a lot better than the past few weeks,” Kidd said. “I should have had a lot better game Sunday night (against the Raiders). I don’t think the way I punted Sunday night had anything to do with my hip.”
Kidd was hurt on the Thursday before the Chargers’ game with Cleveland, and he missed practice time in the following weeks, but he continued to play in the games.
“I just had a bad game against the Raiders,” Kidd said. “I’m better. The hip is stiff and sore at times, but the real pain’s gone.”
The Chargers have claimed defensive end Skip McClendon on waivers from the Cincinnati Bengals and released defensive tackle Vance Hammond, who was added to the roster earlier this week.