Bernstine Wants to Play : Chargers: Running back had surgery in October.
Charger Coach Bobby Ross considered Rod Bernstine lost for the season after the running back underwent shoulder surgery Oct. 19, but Bernstine told Ross on Tuesday he is ready to play again.
“Yeah, I was surprised a little bit, but I was also feeling good about it,” Ross said. “We got to go through the week to see, though. We’re not going to say he’s going to play yet, and I’ve told him that. I said let’s go out, let’s not protect you and see how you handle a blow.”
Bernstine worked out Tuesday morning at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium, then brought team trainer Keoki Kamau to Ross’ office to make his case for reinstatement to the roster.
“We worked him out Monday and (Tuesday) and I really tried to kill the guy,” Kamau said. “He came through with no problem.
“The guy had a potentially season-ending injury, but he has worked his butt off to get to this point. He’s been in here every day, and he’s literally grabbed me and said, ‘Let’s go.’ I mean he’s probably as close to being 100% as we’re going to get.”
Bernstine ran 23 times for 150 yards and two touchdowns in the Chargers’ 34-14 victory over Indianapolis on Oct. 18, but suffered a dislocated shoulder in the fourth quarter.
Bernstine had the option of resting his shoulder or undergoing surgery. He accepted the team’s recommendation to have it arthroscopically repaired.
“Through the whole process there have been no setbacks,” Kamau said, “and that’s part of the reason we’re in this situation where he might be back.”
Initially, after the surgery, Ross said he expected to lose Bernstine for the remainder of the season. Bernstine, however, went back to work to prepare himself for competition this season .
“It tells me something I’ve always believed about Rod Bernstine,” Ross said. “I think Bernstine is a hell of a competitor; I think he’s intensely competitive, and we’ve got a lot of guys like that. That’s why we’re winning.”
The Chargers’ running game went nowhere Sunday in Phoenix. Marion Butts, who has been bothered by a knee injury at times this season, gained five yards on nine carries. Eric Bieniemy, who has been handicapped by an ankle sprain, rushed for 24 yards on nine carries.
Bernstine gained 439 yards on 83 carries for an AFC-leading average gain of 5.3 yards a run before getting hurt. The Chargers had also started using him more in their passing attack.
“No question he could help us,” Ross said. “This is a good football player.”
The Chargers will take a week-long look at Bernstine before deciding if they will remove a player from their 47-man roster and take Bernstine off injured reserve. At the same time, they will be watching cornerback Tony Blaylock.
Blaylock, the team’s starting cornerback before injuring an ankle, is eligible to come off injured reserve. Ross said that if Blaylock is 100% he will be added to the roster.
But, “he’s going to have to be at 100%,” Ross said. “Bernstine could get by with his injury at 85% and play and not hurt us, but Anthony is going to have to be at 100%.”
Ross said he expects wide receiver Shawn Jefferson (quadriceps muscle) to be ready to play Sunday against Cincinnati. He said defensive end Burt Grossman, however, continues to be bothered by an ankle sprain.