The Chargers began implementation of their game plan for Monday night’s season-opener against the Raiders with their first full-pad practice of the regular season Friday.
“To get into the details and the specifics of the game plan ... gives you a real excitement of getting ready to play a game and I think our players are feeling it right now,” coach Norv Turner said.
Mathews hasn’t given up on goal: RB Ryan Mathews (broken right clavicle) participated in his fourth-consecutive practice, but remains limited without contact. Mathews has resigned himself to the likelihood he will not play in the season-opener, but has not given up on his goal of leading the league in rushing this season.
“I may miss this game,” Mathews said. “I may miss the next week. That’s fine. The way I look at it, Jim Brown led the league in rushing in only 12 games.”
Brown captured the rushing title four straight years (1957-60) when the NFL season was only 12 games long. The last player to lead the league in rushing without playing a full season was the Cowboys' RB Emmitt Smith, who rushed for 1,486 yards in 1993 after he missed the first two games due to a contract dispute.
Rotate OLBs: The Chargers are considered to be deep at OLB with Larry English, Melvin Ingram (round one, 18th overall), Shaun Phillips, Jarret Johnson and Antwan Barnes.
Turner reiterated his plan to play them all.
“The strength of our team obviously we think is going to be our linebacker group,” Turner said. “We are going to dress a bunch of them. As we go through the season, hopefully, we will be able to keep a rotation going. That is when we have been at our best, when we have five good outside linebackers like we do. They all bring a little different dimension. Keeping them fresh should help us throughout the entire game.”
Goodman as a receiver: WR-KR Richard Goodman worked entirely as a kick returner last season and did not catch a pass. Goodman said Turner recently took him aside and complimented him on his route-running.
“He has grown a lot as a player, a person and as a receiver,” Turner said. “I have a lot of confidence in Richard.”
Practice report: LT Jared Gaither (back spasms) did not practice. NT Antonio Garay and Mathews (clavicle) were limited. The report was unchanged from Thursday.
What’s next: The Chargers will conduct a walk-thru Saturday morning and fly to Oakland on Sunday afternoon.
Follow Chargers reporter Dan McLellan on Twitter @CBSSportsNFLSD and @sandiegosports.