CHARGER NOTEBOOK : It Doesn’t Require a Trade to Get Lee
The Chargers considered trading for Miami nose tackle Shawn Lee during training camp while they were looking for a replacement for Joe Phillips.
They failed to complete the deal at the time, but Wednesday they got their man.
The Chargers released defensive end Jim Skow, who they signed only last week, and signed Lee, a 6-foot-2 295-pounder who had been released by the Dolphins.
“I was in New York working out for the Jets and my agent called and said I had to get to San Diego,” Lee said.
Lee worked out for the team Wednesday morning and was offered a contract.
Lee played two seasons for the Dolphins and two years for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was selected in the sixth round of the 1988 draft out of North Alabama University. The Bucs traded him to Miami in 1990.
Lee required medical attention for a sore hamstring after his first day, but that didn’t make him alone among the Chargers.
The Chargers are concerned about defensive tackle Blaise Winter, who injured a knee against Denver. Winter did not practice Wednesday, but he said he will be ready to play Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts.
Coach Bobby Ross said Chris Mims would start in Winter’s place if the team had to play a game today.
The Chargers’ entire defensive line was in green jerseys, which indicate some sort of injury. Leslie O’Neal is coming off knee surgery, George Thornton has a sore ankle, Burt Grossman has a bad ankle and elbow, and Mims injured a hamstring lifting weights Wednesday morning.
Linebacker Junior Seau, however, was not in a green jersey. Seau practiced without any hint of the groin injury that has bothered him.
Linebacker David Grayson pulled on the pads and practiced for the first time in more than a year. Grayson broke his leg last season in his Charger debut, and he has spent this season on the physically unable to perform list.
“I was so happy I felt like a 16-year-old today,” Grayson said. “The real test comes (today) when we see how the leg responds.”
The Chargers released running back Howard Griffith from their practice squad but might re-sign him later this week if they promote running back Peter Tuipulotu to the 47-man roster.
Something to consider, although the Chargers are rated seven-point favorites over the Colts: Indianapolis has won a total of 12 games the past three years. Seven of those victories have come on the road.
“I personally like to play on the road, especially on grass,” Colt quarterback Jeff George said. “I don’t think a lot of people like to play on turf; maybe that has something to do with it.”
Ross likened rookie Indianapolis linebacker Quentin Coryatt to the Chargers’ Seau two weeks ago. Local fans, however, will not have the opportunity to make the comparison.
The Colts placed Coryatt on injured reserve this week after he underwent surgery to repair a broken bone in his wrist. Coryatt will be sidelined from four to six weeks and his place in the starting lineup will be taken by Scott Radecic.
The Colts also announced that starting left guard Randy Dixon will miss the game with a head injury. Starting right guard Ron Solt (shoulder), defensive end Jon Hand (knee/ankle), guard Bill Schultz and defensive back Ashley Ambrose (ankle) are listed as questionable. Ambrose has been on the Colts’ practice squad and will be promoted to the 47-man roster.
