Chargers Notebook: Little wiggle room at O-line vs. Ravens

Coach Norv Turner and QB Philip Rivers will be praying the Chargers (4-6) O-line escapes this Sunday’s game against the Ravens (8-2) without any further injuries. The Bolts (4-6) are already painfully thin at O-line. LT Jared Gaither (groin) was placed on the season-ending injured-reserve list Friday and RG Tyronne Green (hamstring) is listed as doubtful.

LT Mike Harris (undrafted, UCLA) will make his seventh start of the season in place of Gaither. G/T Rex Hadnot was the utility reservist for the O-line but will likely receive the start in place of Green, who did not practice this week.

Hadnot and Harris worked with the first-team throughout the week. “We have been able to develop a little chemistry,” Hadnot said. “We will continue to give each other our best effort and see how it goes.” 

Backup C David Molk (round seven, 226th overall) is the only remaining reserved offensive lineman on the active roster. Molk saw his first action against the Broncos on Sunday when RG Louis Vasquez (ankle) missed a few snaps.  “You have probably taken more snaps at guard than I have in my entire life,” Molk joked with this 5-foot-8, 180-pound reporter. “Let’s put it that way.”

OT Kevin Haslam will be activated off the practice squad to replace Gaither on the 53-man roster. Haslam played five games for the Jaguars in 2010. He has been working exclusively at tackle and will replace Hadnot as the backup at right and left tackle.

This leaves Molk to backup at guard. “If there is no one left, then it is my duty,” Molk said. “Offensive line is offensive line, it’s just leverage.”

Molk was unable to prepare at guard this week. “I really didn’t have time,” Molk said. “I am still the backup center. That’s my main job. I’m also the jumbo tight end and in on field goals and kickoff returns.  Suddenly, there’s a lot on my plate. But like I said, guard is guard. It’s like center with a foot back. So, not too big of a deal.”

Gaither has been a disappointment since he signed a four-year contract this offseason worth $24.6 million with an $8 million signing bonus and $13.5 million guaranteed.

General manager A.J. Smith knew Gaither’s reputation of being the “Big Lazy” with the Ravens (2007-10) and Chiefs (2011). But Smith rewarded Gaither with the enormous contract after he allowed only three pressures and no sacks in the final five games for the Chargers last season.

Gaither only played in four games this season. He exited the first full practice of training camp with back spasms that kept him out through the first three games. Gaither injured his groin in Week 5 and missed Week 6 vs. the Broncos. After the Chargers' bye in Week 7, Gaither played in Week 8. But he re-injured his groin early in Week 9 vs. the Chiefs and has not played since.

Turner appeared exasperated by Gaither’s inability to get on the field. “We have given Jared Gaither every opportunity to be a part of this team,” Turner said. “It just hasn’t worked out.”

Whether Gaither will return to the Chargers next season is in question, but it would appear highly unlikely. Turner did not indicate any interest in Gaither returning.  “It just is what it is,” Turner said. “There really isn’t a whole lot left to be said about it.”

Alumni day: Sunday is Alumni Day at Qualcomm Stadium. Former P Darren Bennett (1195-2003) will become the 36th member of the San Diego Chargers Hall of Fame at a halftime ceremony. A banner bearing his name will be added to the Chargers’ Ring of Honor. Bennett will be introduced for his induction by former long snapper David Binn (1994-2010).

Blacked out: Per NFL policy, Sunday’s game between the Chargers and the Ravens will not be shown live in Southern California. This includes all signals within a 75-mile radius of the stadium and those areas whose television signal reaches within that 75-mile zone. The league’s policy affects all telecasts, including cable and satellite.

Injury Report: Out: OLB Larry English (calf) and WR Eddie Royal (hamstring). Doubtful: LG Green (hamstring) and TE Dante Rosario (hamstring). Questionable: NT Aubrayo Franklin (knee). Probable: SS Atari Bigby (shoulder), P Mike Scifres (right ankle) and RG Vasquez (ankle).

Game Preview from a Chargers perspective: Chargers Game Preview vs. Ravens: Analysis, prediction, TV info

Game preview from a Ravens perspective: Ravens Game Preview vs. Chargers: Analysis, prediction, TV info