Chargers Get Out of Town to Flee Fires

Because wildfires are blanketing the San Diego area with smoke, the Chargers will fly to Champaign, Ill., today to prepare for Sunday’s game against the Bears at Chicago.

“We don’t want to deal with the health risks,” Coach Marty Schottenheimer said.

The Chargers played the Miami Dolphins at Tempe, Ariz., Monday night after the city of San Diego told the NFL that the game couldn’t be held at Qualcomm Stadium.

The stadium’s parking lot had become an evacuation center for people forced out of their homes by the wildfires.

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Linebacker T.J. Slaughter was released by the Jacksonville Jaguars, a day after he was arrested for allegedly pointing a gun at two men passing him in a car.

Slaughter is free on bond while prosecutors decide whether to charge him.

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New Orleans suspended defensive tackle Grady Jackson for one game because of “conduct detrimental to the team.” He will sit out Sunday against Tampa Bay.... Oakland signed defensive tackle Sean Gilbert, 33, who has 42 1/2 career sacks.... Minnesota waived kickoff specialist Jose Cortez.... New York Jet end John Abraham will sit out against the New York Giants on Sunday because of a strained right groin.... San Francisco waived kicker Owen Pochman, who missed seven field-goal tries in the last four games, and signed Todd Peterson.... Barcelona of NFL Europe folded because of poor attendance.