Chargers Looking at Site Alternatives
The San Diego Chargers, whose “Monday Night Football” game was relocated to Arizona because of deadly wildfires, are looking into contingency plans in case they are unable to play at Qualcomm Stadium for a Nov. 9 game against Minnesota.
“I think obviously if the air quality is such that we can’t practice or play a week from Sunday, then you’d have to look at Arizona, San Francisco or Oakland as potential sites, depending if their teams are there or not,” Charger President Dean Spanos said Wednesday at the NFL owners’ meetings in Chicago.
The Raiders play host to the New York Jets on Nov. 9; the 49ers have the week off; and the Cardinals play at Pittsburgh.
Asked if the Chargers might play the game at Minnesota’s Metrodome, among the league’s loudest stadiums, Spanos said: “That wouldn’t be my first choice.”
NFL team owners gave Arizona Cardinal owner Bill Bidwill and his son, Michael, a standing ovation at the league meetings Wednesday in appreciation of their effort in playing host Monday to the Chargers’ game against the Miami Dolphins on such short notice.
Admission was free for the Monday night game, which drew more than 70,000 spectators and raised approximately $200,000 in donations for fire victims.
The Chargers play at Chicago on Sunday and are practicing this week in Champaign, Ill., because of the fires.
Spanos said if the team is unable to use its facility next week, practices might be moved to the Home Depot Center in Carson, where the Chargers hold their summer training camp.
-- Sam Farmer
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Marques Tuiasosopo will start at quarterback for the Oakland Raiders on Sunday at Detroit in place of the injured Rich Gannon.
Also, the Raiders waived injured tight end Marcus Williams, whose left eye socket was broken by teammate Bill Romanowski during training camp.
Williams was cleared to play by two doctors and released by Oakland.
His agent, Lee Kolligian, said Williams isn’t close to being ready to compete again and plans to seek an injury grievance with the NFL.
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Cleveland running back William Green pleaded not guilty to charges of marijuana possession and driving under the influence at Westlake, Ohio.
Green, who leads Cleveland with 559 yards in 142 carries, was released on bond.
Green and his attorney did not comment after the arraignment.
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The Washington Redskins signed defensive tackle Darrell Russell to a one-year, $790,000 contract, two days after he was reinstated by the NFL following a 1 1/2-year suspension for a second violation of the league’s substance abuse policy.
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Brian Westbrook, the Eagles’ leading rusher and kick returner, will sit out Philadelphia’s game at Atlanta on Sunday because of a sprained left ankle.... Quarterback Brian Griese will start for the second consecutive week for the Miami Dolphins when they play Indianapolis on Sunday.
