The Chargers conducted the first full practice with their 53-man roster on Saturday. Before coach Norv Turner completely turned his focus to the Raiders, he spent time working on issues that arose from the 35-3 beat down of the final preseason game against the 49ers.
“We have been, off and on, working on the Raiders,” Turner said. “There were some things we had to clean up from the game. Then start off against the Raiders.”
Harris humble and emotional: LT Mike Harris (undrafted, UCLA) sat at his temporary locker on rookie row and looked around at all the empty spaces once inhabited by players who were waived in the last week. “I made it,” Harris said quietly while holding back emotions.
Harris was informed that he will in all likelihood start against the Raiders in Week 1 on MNF because starting LT Jared Gaither (back spasms) again did not practice. “I know Jared is down right now,” Harris said. “I know when he gets back the team is going to need him because he is a great tackle. I’m just taking what he is giving me. He’s trying to help me every day because this is a team sport.”
Back-up FB by committee: FB Le'Ron McClain is the lone fullback on the roster with the release of FB Jacob Hester on Friday. Turner said RB Jackie Battle will need to know the fullback position, but he also pointed to TEs Randy McMichael and Dante Rosario as capable backups.
Six of eight signed to practice squad: RB Edwin (7th round, 250th overall, Michigan State), G-T Charlie Bryant (rookie, undrafted, Memphis), CB Greg Gatson (rookie, undrafted, Arkansas), DE Logan Harrell (rookie, undrafted, Fresno State), DE Damik Scafe (2nd season, undrafted in 2011, Boston College) and WR Mike Willie (rookie, undrafted, Arizona State) were signed to the practice squad and participated in practice.
There are two remaining spots open. OLB Ricky Elmore (rookie, undrafted, Arizona), CB DeAndre Presley (rookie, undrafted, Appalachian State) and QB Jarrett Lee (rookie, undrafted, LSU) were waived on Friday, but their lockers were not cleaned out and appear to be the leading candidates to fill the practice squad. Lee has an edge because Turner said a third QB would be signed.
Injury updates: RB Ryan Mathews (clavicle) and WR Vincent Brown (ankle) worked out on the side and did not practice. Also did not practice: DT Antonio Garay (left foot) and LT Jared Gaither (back spasms). Nine return to practice: RB Curtis Brinkley (strain), CB Marcus Gilchrist (hamstring), C Nick Hardwick (concussion), Melvin Ingram (thigh), CB Quentin Jammer (hamstring), TE Dante Rosario (unknown), S Darrell Stuckey (concussion), ILB Demorrio Williams (unknown) and CB Shareece Wright (unknown).
What’s next: The players will have Sunday off and return to practice on Monday.
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Chargers Notebook: Undrafted Mike Harris to start at LT
The Chargers conducted the first full practice with their 53-man roster on Saturday. Before coach Norv Turner completely turned his focus to the Raiders, he spent time working on issues that arose from the 35-3 beat down of the final preseason game against the 49ers.
By
Dan McLellan
•
2 min read