The Chargers returned to the field with a late practice on Wednesday. Emotionally, there was little evidence the team opened the season with a 22-14 road victory over the Raiders. Perhaps the lack of energy reflected a workmanlike attitude, or maybe the players were still tired from playing on Monday night.
No Mathews: RB Ryan Mathews (clavicle) was limited in practice all of last week, but did not practice on Wednesday. Turner said Mathews did not suffer a setback. “He worked pretty hard today,” Turner said. “He just didn’t practice; we will see where he is at tomorrow.”
Even if Mathews were to practice Thursday, it’s highly unlikely he will play Sunday against the Titans. He has been out since the first preseason game and would need more than one full practice before his return. It now appears his likely comeback will not be until next week at the earliest.
Gates skips a day: TE Antonio Gates did not practice Wednesday. Gates went to the locker room and then returned to play during Monday’s game. “[Gates] got hit in the ribs,” Turner said. “He was a little sore. They X-rayed him during the game. He was all right. I expect him to practice tomorrow.”
No depth at CB: The Chargers came into the season with only four CBs on their 53-man roster. Quentin Jammer (right thumb) and Shareece Wright (right foot) were injured in Monday’s game and did not practice on Wednesday.
Antoine Cason and Marcus Gilchrist are the only healthy CBs. This doesn’t leave a third CB as the nickelback for third-down situations. Turner, however, said Jammer would start if the game was played today. If Jammer plays Sunday, Gilchrist would be the nickelback.
The prospect of Wright being able to play appears far less promising. He wore a boot Wednesday and Turner refused to elaborate on the extent of his injury.
Wells to back up LG: G-T Reggie Wells, a 10-year veteran, was signed Tuesday. The 6-4, 318-pounder has started 91 of 117 career games. He's capable of playing both LG and LT but will back up at LG. “Throughout my career, most of my starts have come at LG,” Wells said.
Starting LG Tyronne Green would move to LT if Mike Harris were to get hurt before the return of LT Jared Gaither (back spasms).
Harris was nervous: LT Mike Harris (undrafted, UCLA) did not give up a sack during his first career start on Monday, and he was pleased with his performance. “I was a little nervous at the beginning of the game,” Harris said. “As the game went, it slowed down for me. It was fun. I am just happy that we won.”
Victim of numbers: ILB Jonas Mouton (round two in 2011) was inactive on Monday. Mouton missed all of his rookie season a year ago after he injured a shoulder in the final preseason game.
“It’s purely a numbers game,” Turner said of Mouton not being active. “As long as we can, we are going to have five OLBs dressed. With five OLBs dressed, it is almost impossible to dress more inside than we did. We had four dressed. Jonas is progressing. He had a very good preseason. He is going to be a very good ILB. He gives us great depth.”
Practice report -- Did not practice Wednesday: LT Jared Gaither (back spasms), TE Antonio Gates (ribs), WR Richard Goodman (concussion), CB Quentin Jammer (right thumb), Mathews (clavicle), CB Shareece Wright (right foot). Gates, Goodman, Jammer and Wright were new additions coming off of Monday’s game. Full participation: NT Antonio Garay (foot).
What’s next: The Chargers will practice Thursday afternoon.
Follow Chargers reporter Dan McLellan on Twitter @CBSChargers and @sandiegosports.