CHARGER UPDATE : NOTEBOOK / DAVE McKIBBEN : Chargers’ Butts Says He’s Ready to Make Things Happen Again

Marion Butts gained only five yards in nine carries Sunday, but he insists there is nothing physically wrong with him.

“There always seemed to be one guy in there corrupting things,” Butts said. “I was one step to making something big happen. I feel fine.”

Ross blamed the defense’s poor first half on missed tackles and missed assignments. He said the running game’s lack of production--20 rushes for 29 yards--was due to being “out of sync.”

We’d have four guys doing their job and one guy breaking down,” Ross said.

The Chargers are close to picking up another sack, giving them six against Phoenix. Junior Seau seeks to be credited with a sack for his tackle on Phoenix quarterback Chris Chandler, who was scrambling and run out of bounds by Seau at the line of scrimmage.

Ross said defensive end Burt Grossman (ankle) and receiver Shawn Jefferson (quadriceps) are questionable for Sunday’s game. Ross said he has given thought to placing Grossman on the injured reserve list and activating Arthur Paul from injured reserve or possibly picking up a player from outside the organization.

Grossman played one down in Phoenix before leaving the game.

“We’re going to have to get more than one play out of him to justify keeping him active,” Ross said. “I think we will.”

Rod Bernstine, who has missed seven games with a separated shoulder, will begin practicing lightly this week. Ross said Bernstine, who has run for 439 yards and three touchdowns, might be ready to play against the Raiders Dec. 20.

Tony Blaylock, who has missed four games with a sprained ankle and is eligible to come off injured reserve, is still limited in his movement and not ready to be activated.

KNSD-TV reported its highest rating of the season for a Charger game Sunday. A station official said 55% of all television sets turned on in San Diego County were watching the Charger-Phoenix Cardinal game. The game also received a 27.4 rating, meaning 27.4% of all households with television sets were tuned in to the Chargers.