Chargers Notebook: Norv Turner switches things around

Chargers coach Norv Turner mixed things up a bit on Tuesday by flipping the morning walk-through and the evening full practice. The move was intended to keep players on their toes. It also provided an early preparation for four morning games this season.

“We switched up the schedule a little bit,” Turner said. “I thought our guys came out this morning with a lot of energy, a lot of focus. There was a lot of excitement. When you get to this point in camp, there is so much competition against each other. I really do believe it brings out the best in guys.”

“I think it is just a mindset,” QB Philip Rivers said of the schedule flip. “I think it’s good to create that. “You had a hard afternoon physical practice yesterday. Wake up in the morning and have to go again. Not that it’s looking ahead, but we have a number of east coast games that are going to be 10 a.m. (Pacific time), so this was somewhat similar by doing this today.”

What stood out: RB Ronnie Brown took a veteran’s day off. Turner explained that members of the “30 Club” -- players older than 30 -- are entitled to an occasional day of rest. RB Curtis Brinkley saw a heavy workload and made the most of it as both a rusher and a receiver.

SS Atari Bigby had his best practice and shut down TE Antonio Gates in a red-zone drill on multiple plays. On one play, Bigby hit Gates just as the ball arrived and deflected it into the air. CB De'Andre Presley intercepted the pass and took off for what would have been a 101-yard TD.

Position battles: For the second day in a row, TE Ladarius Green (round four, 110th overall pick) continued to touch the ball more and is finally starting to turn some heads.

“He has probably progressed more than any guy,” Rivers said of Green. “You can tell he is getting more and more comfortable. He can really run. He is rangy. He can catch the ball great, so he has really improved.”

Green did not have a reception in the first preseason game against the Packers and will likely need to make some plays in the remainder of preseason to secure a spot on the 53-man roster.

Injury updates: DT Garrett Brown (left foot in boot), DE Jacques Cesaire (unknown), WR Richard Goodman (unknown), RB Ryan Mathews (clavicle), WR Eddie Royal (leg) and G Johnnie Troutman (pectoral) worked out on the side and didn't practice. Also did not practice: G-T Brandyn Dombrowski (foot, cyst), LT Jared Gaither (back spasms), LG Tyronne Green (left foot) and DT Antonio Garay (left ankle).

Cesaire was a new addition to the non-participants list.

WR Malcom Floyd, TE Antonio Gates and ILB Takeo Spikes had their day of rest as members of the “30 Club” on Monday and returned to practice.

LG Tyronne Green had his left foot stepped on in Monday evening’s full practice and wore a boot afterwards. Green did not participate in the morning full practice, but did participate in the evening walk-through with the foot in a wrap.

SS Brandon Taylor went to the training room in the morning practice with a sore left ankle. Taylor later returned to practice and participated in the walk-through.

What's next: The Chargers will have a walk-through on Wednesday morning followed by a full practice in the afternoon. All practices are now closed to the public.

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