CHARGER UPDATE : NOTEBOOK / T.J. SIMERS : O’Neal to Undergo Surgery, is Doubtful for Bronco Game
The Chargers said defensive lineman Leslie O’Neal is scheduled to leave for Colorado today to be examined by Dr. Richard Steadman and he is considered “extremely doubtful” for Sunday’s game with the Broncos.
Arthroscopic knee surgery, they said, is scheduled for Thursday.
The club said medical tests have indicated O’Neal’s problem to be minor. If O’Neal had allowed Charger team physician Dr. Gary Losse to perform the procedure Monday, there is a feeling within the organization that he would have been ready to play Sunday against the Broncos.
Losse performed similar surgery on running back Ronnie Harmon recently and two days later Harmon was back at practice.
“We’re trying to get it done as soon as possible but it’s a matter of a convenient time for the doctor,” Coach Bobby Ross said. “It’s not a major surgery in any way, but the probability is, however, that he will miss this football game.
“I’m not certain of that yet, but I’m pretty sure. I’d say he’s extremely doubtful. I think you’d have to say it’s around 85% probable that he won’t be around for this game.”
O’Neal irritated the Chargers in 1986 after bypassing Losse to have Steadman work on his knee. He did not return to action for 22 1/2 months, and the team believed the delay in his rehabilitation had to do with his choice to seek outside medical attention.
O’Neal did not respond to an interview request Tuesday.
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Ross said linebacker Junior Seau has improved after suffering a groin pull Friday. But he said he expects the decision on Seau’s availability Sunday to go right on down to game time.
“If there’s a guy that wants to play, it will be Junior Seau,” Ross said. “He will do everything he possibly can to play the football game.”
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The Chargers (2-4) have a chance to climb back into the AFC West Division race with a victory against the Broncos (5-2) and another victory over the Colts the following week.
“They’re (Broncos) at the top of our division and as far as we’re concerned, if we have any hopes at all, to me it’s almost like a playoff game,” Ross said. “If we got any hopes at all of staying in the run, then this becomes a most significant game to us. I reminded our team of that already. It’s a big football game for us.
“We’ve gotten a couple of wins, maybe a little confidence is starting to come within our program, and that’s good. Now we’ve got a huge challenge ahead of us playing a football team with as fine a program as Denver.”
The Chargers fell to Denver in Mile High Stadium earlier this season, 21-13.
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Running back Rod Bernstine said he made the decision to have his separated shoulder surgically repaired after consulting with his wife, mother and agent.
“There was the possibility of it popping out again and again,” Bernstine said. “I wanted to get it stable and get back on the field.”
Bernstine underwent shoulder surgery Monday, a day after piling up 150 yards against the Colts, and is expected to miss the rest of the season.
“It’s like there is a black cloud over my head,” Bernstine said. “I played three of the best quarters of football I’ve ever played and I can’t enjoy myself because I’m on my back.
“I’m drained right now. I’ve been dying to have the opportunity to get back on the field and it looked like Coach Ross had a lot of faith in me because he was putting me all over the field. And then this happens.”
Bernstine said he will have to keep his shoulder in a brace or sling for the next four weeks. He said he will work hard to return, “but I can’t say I’ll be back in six or seven weeks. If I can’t come back, then I’ll have to prepare myself to sit out the season.”
