PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : AFC : Ankle Injury Sidelines Bernstine

Charger running back Rod Bernstine, who rushed for three touchdowns in the team’s 38-30 victory over Miami last season, did not put on a uniform Sunday.

Bernstine injured his ankle on his first carry against Kansas City in last week’s playoff game and was unable to practice in preparation for the Dolphins.

“I just couldn’t go,” said Bernstine, who did not attempt to run before the game. “It wasn’t ready.”

Miami quarterback Dan Marino has thrown a touchdown pass in nine consecutive playoff games, tying him with John Elway for second place in league history behind Oakland’s Ken Stabler, who had 10 in a row.

“Early in the game I struggled throwing the football because of the rain,” Marino said. “It was really a factor. I went to the sideline and threw some to get used to it.

“We got a break on field position, and we were able to hit some big plays to Keith Jackson. He’s just an unbelievable receiver.”

Jackson had not caught a touchdown pass since the first quarter of play against Indianapolis on Nov. 8.

Miami running back Bobby Humphrey, who has replaced an injured Mark Higgs (knee), has not been talking to the media recently. However, after Sunday’s victory, Humphrey, who gained 71 yards in 23 carries, said: “I think this is the way we wanted it to be. This is the way we saw it happening three weeks ago. We were hoping we would get a chance to break the tie (one victory apiece) with Buffalo. It’s going to be a great game.”

It took 10 years for Charger cornerback Gill Byrd to make it to the playoffs, and now he knows why players work so hard to return: “Twelve teams enter the playoffs, but when it’s all over, 11 of them go home feeling like the season wasn’t anything. Only one team can come out and say we had a great year. That’s why a team like Buffalo is still hungry. They’ve been there, but they haven’t won the big game.”