CHARGER UPDATE : NOTEBOOK / T.J. SIMERS : After Bernstine’s Day 2 Weeks Ago, Butts Expects the Colts to Expect Run

The last time the Chargers played the Colts, running back Rod Bernstine ran for 150 yards and scored a pair of touchdowns.

This week the Chargers will go with first-string running back Marion Butts.

“The offensive line had a great game,” said Butts, who missed the first encounter with Indianapolis so he could rest a sore knee. “I’m pretty sure they will be expecting us to run the ball this time. I imagine they are working right now on cracking down on the run.

“They weren’t really prepared for the running attack the way it was, but you know they’ll come up with something.”

When the Chargers played the Colts in 1989, Butts was out with a sprained knee. This will be the first time the Colts get an up close and personal look at the Chargers’ battering ram.

“I’m healthy and ready to go,” he said. “I don’t need the knee brace and I’m 100%.”

Wide receiver Anthony Miller has gone over the 100-yard receiving mark in two of the Chargers’ past three games, and now has topped the century mark 11 times in his five-year career.

“I’m hoping I get myself more one-on-one situations,” Miller said. “We’re spreading the ball out and that helps. That makes a big difference; it takes the heat off of me.”

Miller has earned two invitations to the Pro Bowl, but his numbers were down last year.

“You can’t put me in a certain category because I’ve had to go through seven different quarterbacks,” he said. “Other people have had more stability. They not only have the same starting quarterback, but maybe the same guy backing him up.

“You can’t say I’ve had this drop-off because I’ve had all these different quarterbacks. You get a consistent quarterback, and it helps. I had my best years when Jim McMahon was here, because he was a veteran and he was consistent.”

Miller leads the team with 30 catches for 476 yards and has scored three touchdowns. He has become quarterback Stan Humphries’ favorite deep target.

“I feel real comfortable with him back there,” Miller said. “He’s becoming familiar with the offense, and now some other guys are making some big plays. All that helps.”

The Chargers placed wide receiver Johnnie Barnes on injured reserve with a shoulder injury and promoted running back Peter Tuipulotu to the 47-man roster from the practice squad. The Chargers also re-signed running back Howard Griffith to the practice squad.

Coach Bobby Ross said linebacker Junior Seau (groin), defensive end Leslie O’Neal (knee) and defensive tackles Blaise Winter (knee) and George Thornton (knee) will be able to play and start against the Colts Sunday.

Linebacker Billy Ray Smith reported progress with his hamstring injury, but he said he is still in no position to take the field and chase a tight end.

Smith said he is capable of running, but has not been given the nod to seriously test his hamstring in a full workout.