PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE NFL : Bernstine Wants Time or Trade

San Diego running back Rod Bernstine, coming off the best overall game of his pro career, said he will seek a trade if he isn’t assured of playing more in the Chargers’ one-back offense in 1992.

“If I’m going to continue to be treated this way, it would be better for me to leave,” Bernstine said Monday. “If it continues to be a situation where I have to sit on the bench for halves or quarters at a time, the best thing for me is to go somewhere else and start somewhere new.”

Bernstine scored three of San Diego’s four fourth-quarter touchdowns in a 38-30 upset of Miami, including a 63-yarder in the final minutes. He gained 104 yards in 13 carries.

“I want equal amounts of time (with starter Marion Butts), that’s all I’m saying. If they don’t think I can have that role, it’s better that I go somewhere else,” said Bernstine, a converted tight end who was San Diego’s No. 1 draft pick in 1987 out of Texas A&M.;

Bernstine, whose contract will expire in February, leads the Chargers (4-11) in scoring with seven touchdowns and is second, behind Butts, in rushing with 749 yards in 151 carries.

He was the starter when Butts was a training camp holdout, but suffered a back injury and lost the job to Butts after eight games.

Coach Dan Henning insisted that Bernstine was getting equal playing time with Butts and Ronnie Harmon.

“I think it would be almost ridiculous to argue the use of these people,” Henning said.

General Manager Bobby Beathard said the Chargers want to keep both Bernstine and Butts.

Defensive back Eugene Robinson of the Seattle Seahawks was fined $5,000 by NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue for using the crown of his helmet to strike San Francisco wide receiver John Taylor in the chest in a game Dec. 8.

The Kansas City Chiefs re-signed Steve Pelluer to back up quarterbacks Steve DeBerg and injured Mark Vlasic.

Pelluer was cut by the Chiefs on Aug. 27 after the Chiefs acquired Vlasic.