CHARGERS UPDATE : NOTEBOOK / T.J. SIMERS : O’Neal Has Surgery; Seau, Butts Improved
Linebacker Junior Seau is earning more practice time, running back Marion Butts is working without pain in his knee, and defensive end Leslie O’Neal has been declared out of Sunday’s game with Denver.
O’Neal, who Thursday underwent arthroscopic knee surgery in Colorado, is expected to return to San Diego on Sunday. Coach Bobby Ross said there is no chance O’Neal will play against the Broncos.
“It’s what we expected, but there is some swelling in the knee and they want to watch it,” Ross said. “His availability will be day to day beginning Monday next week.”
O’Neal also injured a hamstring against the Colts, and it might delay his return.
O’Neal chose to bypass Charger team physician Gary Losse and have Dr. Richard Steadman work on his knee. Steadman performed surgery on O’Neal’s knee in 1986.
Seau, meanwhile, has been able to practice without difficulty and chances he will be ready for the Broncos appear to have increased.
“It’s been three weeks since I’ve played (counting the bye) and I’m ready to go,” he said. “It’s going to be real tough to keep me out.”
Butts has run without discomfort this week, and Ross said he rates Butts’ health between 95 and 100%.
Butts injured his knee in the season opener against Kansas City and then re-injured it against Seattle. He sat out the game with the Colts and ran Thursday without aid of a knee brace.
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The Chargers signed former Bengal-Seahawk-Ram defensive lineman Jim Skow and placed running back Rod Bernstine (shoulder) on injured reserve.
Ross said he is also considering placing linebacker Kevin Murphy on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. Linebacker Reggie Clark, who is on the practice squad, is likely to take Murphy’s spot.
Linebacker Billy Ray Smith is not being considered. General Manager Bobby Beathard said on radio Wednesday night that Smith is almost ready to begin practicing, but Ross said, “He is not ready to go. He’s a little bit above half speed; that’s where he is. That’s not the answer for us right now.”
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Quarterback Stan Humphries and defensive back Darren Carrington will join Ross to speak to the Charger Backers at today’s weekly luncheon at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium. The luncheon begins at noon and is open to the public.