CHARGERS UPDATE : NOTEBOOK / T.J. SIMERS : Former SDSU Receiver Claiborne Earns Promotion; Stanley Released
Check the list of players who had no shot at making the Chargers’ 47-man roster, and you will find Robert Claiborne’s name at the top.
The former San Diego State wide receiver signed with the Chargers as a free agent this off-season and began to climb the depth chart.
Coach Bobby Ross on Wednesday informed Claiborne that his journey had taken a successful turn. The Chargers elected to release wide receiver Walter Stanley after reaching an injury settlement with him on his ailing eye; then they announced they were going to promote Claiborne from their developmental team to the 47-man roster.
Claiborne will have to pass through waivers and avoid being claimed by one of the other 27 teams before officially joining the Chargers. Once he clears, however, he will be closer to making his NFL debut.
“I’m very happy; this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Claiborne said. “I hope to take full advantage of it.”
Claiborne went to practice Wednesday without knowing the team had decided to activate him. After practice, he was told that Ross wanted to see him, which initially made him nervous, but then he was advised the news was good.
“I can’t wait to call my mom and tell her,” said Claiborne, who attended Mt. Miguel High before moving on to Grossmont Junior College, Southwestern Community College and SDSU.
Tackle Broderick Thompson will undergo tests today to determine the extent of injuries to his chest after suffering a severe blow Sunday.
“It’s gotten worse,” Thompson said. “There is some fear--they want to check if there has been lung or heart damage.”
Thompson missed practice Wednesday and Ross said he is “very, very questionable” for Sunday’s game with Denver.
Leo Goeas will replace Thompson, and David Richards will move from guard to tackle in the event Goeas or left tackle Harry Swayne is injured. Mike Zandofsky would then replace Richards at right guard.
Ross had better news regarding running back Marion Butts, who was listed earlier in the day as questionable with a knee injury. Ross said Butts practiced without any problem and will be ready to go.
Richards made a quick trip to Minneapolis on Monday to make an appearance at the closing arguments in the Freeman McNeil antitrust lawsuit against the NFL.
Richards, a plaintiff in the case, stands to earn a sizable settlement if a jury of eight women rules in favor of the players.
“I think we’ll win; I feel good about it,” Richards said. “If we win it will change the system, which is the most important thing. They will have to treat us as people, not like things.”
The Broncos listed starting safety Steve Atwater (ankle) and starting center Keith Kartz (calf) as questionable. Both players missed the season opener with the Raiders. The Broncos also listed tight end Reggie Johnson (shoulder) as questionable.
