Chargers Notebook: Left side of offensive line sidelined

QB Philip Rivers will need better support from his OL against the Ravens than he had in the loss to the Broncos. (US Presswire)

The Chargers (4-6) began preparing for this Sunday’s home game against the Ravens (8-2) without LT Jared Gaither (groin) and LG Tyronne Green (hamstring). The two starters worked out on the side rehab field during practice.

Green was injured in Sunday’s 30-23 loss to the Broncos (7-3) and was replaced by Rex Hadnot. Including the last two games, LT Michael Harris (undrafted, UCLA) has started six games in place of Gaither. Coach Norv Turner signaled Wednesday that Harris and Hadnot will likely start Sunday.

The O-line played poorly against the Broncos and gave up four sacks for 34 yards. Denver leads the league with 35 sacks. The Ravens offer a formidable defense but have just 19 sacks (ranked 22^nd).

LS Windt to IR: LS Mike Windt suffered a fractured wrist against the Broncos and was placed on the season-ending IR list Tuesday. LS Kyle Nelson (undrafted, New Mexico State) was signed to replace Windt. Nelson (6-foot-2, 240 pounds) was with the 49ers for training camp and was on the Eagles' practice squad this season but has yet to play a snap in a regular-season game.

The Chargers have allowed a blocked punt in each of the past two games. “We have done so many good things in the special teams it is disappointing that we had one punt blocked, let alone back-to-back,” coach Norv Turner said. “We have a change with the snapper, but I think we will be able to make that thing work.”

The Chargers went through five long snappers in five weeks in 2010 when their special teams were ranked last.

K Nick Novak said Windt was the best snapper he has worked with but is impressed by Nelson and is not concerned about the transition. “[Nelson] is a very good snapper,” Novak said. “It looks like it’s the same speed as Mike’s. The laces are consistently facing out. There is really nothing to over think, just get more reps.”

Weddle supports Reed: Ravens FS Ed Reed was suspended for a game by the NFL on Monday for his hit on Steelers WR Emmanuel Sanders on Sunday Night. The play was the third time in three years Reed has been called for an illegal hit on a defenseless player. The suspension would have meant Reed, a seven-time Pro Bowler, would have missed Sunday’s game against the Chargers. Reed appealed the suspension, and it was overturned on Tuesday by NFL arbitrator Ted Cottrell, a former defensive coordinator who worked for the Chargers from 2007-08 before being fired mid-season by coach Norv Turner. Reed will still have to pay a $50,000 fine.

Chargers FS Eric Weddle agreed with the reversal. “I support Ed Reed,” Weddle said. “I am glad he’s playing. He’s just playing the game the way that it is supposed to be played. I don’t look at it any other way than that. The way the rules are, you have to try to limit what you can do as a player defensively; where you can hit your shots, how high you can go. It’s just unfortunate for us because it kind of scales back our play, but that is what the rules are.”

Hughes adds depth at LT: OT Kevin Hughes (6-4, 300) was signed to the practice squad to add depth at LT on Wednesday. Hughes (undrafted free agent in 2011, Southern Louisiana) spent most of last season on the Rams' practice squad. He allowed three sacks and a QB hurry in 43 snaps in two games played. DE Logan Harrell was released from the practice squad to make room for Hughes.

Practice Report: OLB Larry English (calf), DT Aubrayo Franklin (groin), LT Gaither (groin), LG Green (hamstring), TE Dante Rosario (hamstring) and WR Eddie Royal (hamstring) did not practice. SS Atari Bigby (shoulder) was limited.

What’s next: The Chargers will practice in the morning Thursday and receive the afternoon off to enjoy Thanksgiving with their family.