Chargers Punish Boston

The San Diego Chargers sent wide receiver David Boston home before practice on Wednesday as a disciplinary measure.

Coach Marty Schottenheimer was guarded in his comments about Boston, who signed a $47-million contract as a free agent in March.

“David and I had a discussion and in the course of the discussion, thought we ought to have this day [off], and he’s been excused for a matter that is not related to the medical part of it,” Schottenheimer said.

General Manager A.J. Smith wouldn’t be more specific, but did say that it wasn’t one incident that led to Boston being sent home, but rather, “it’s several things.”

“Let’s just say we’ve got some guidelines here to adhere to,” Smith said. “And David wasn’t meeting them to our expectations.”

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Edgerrin James did not practice because of a bad back, and the Indianapolis Colt running back could sit out Sunday’s game at New Orleans.

“Hopefully he’ll be ready to go, but we’ll see how it goes,” Colt Coach Tony Dungy said.

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Troubled center Barret Robbins will start for the Oakland Raiders on Sunday for the first time since he missed last season’s Super Bowl.

Robbins, who began training camp on the physically unable to perform list, missed two meetings and a walk-through before the Super Bowl. Raider Coach Bill Callahan said Robbins was incoherent and didn’t know where he was when he showed up Saturday night before the game.

Robbins, a recovering alcoholic, has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

He has been sidelined recently while recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his right knee.

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Mark Brunell missed practice and was listed as questionable on the injury report, furthering the chance that rookie Byron Leftwich will make his first start this weekend for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Leftwich, the first-round draft pick from Marshall, has been Jacksonville’s second-string quarterback in all three games. In the last two, he has entered with the game out of hand and led the Jaguars to touchdowns.

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Denver Bronco running back Clinton Portis may not play Sunday against Detroit because of a chest injury and strong safety Kenoy Kennedy is also hobbled by a left ankle sprain.

Bronco Coach Mike Shanahan said he probably would hold Portis out of practice today.

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Chris McAlister returned to the Baltimore Ravens’ defensive backfield after receiving a lecture from Coach Brian Billick and apologizing to his teammates.

McAlister was benched for the game against San Diego last Sunday after missing curfew and skipping a team meeting. The Ravens fined him the maximum amount allowed by the league, and he was warned by Billick about the repercussions of a repeat violation.