Chargers Team Report
(Thu, 09 Sep 2010 20:05:19 PDT)

In a game meant for a guy with a nickname of "Lights Out," look for someone else to steal the spotlight.

Larry English anyone?

Shawne Merriman, whose "Lights Out" persona is made for "Monday Night Football," is still nursing a sore Achilles tendon. Although he practiced Thursday for the second straight day, it's doubtful he will go Monday. He's had but a handful of practice and no preseason games.

With Merriman ailing, English will have the national stage to show he's worth that 2009 first-round pick the Charger used on him. The club was hopeful he could step in his rookie year and supply a jolt, but not so much.

English had two sacks and 34 tackles; the Chargers were expecting more.

With Merriman questionable, Shaun Phillips becomes the Chargers'...

Jackson arbitration hearing to take place next week
(Thu, 09 Sep 2010 18:47:00 PDT)
A decision will be made on whether the roster exemption placed on Vincent Jackson applies if he's traded.

Crabtree says he's ready after missing pre-season
(Thu, 09 Sep 2010 14:01:49 PDT)
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Michael Crabtree's sore neck is much better, he insists he's ready to play after missing the entire pre-season and the spat last week with teammate Vernon Davis is long since done.

Week 1 NFL Capsules
(Thu, 09 Sep 2010 14:01:46 PDT)
DETROIT (2-14) At CHICAGO (7-9) Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX OPENING LINE -- Bears by 7 RECORD VS. SPREAD -- Detroit 4-10-2; Bears 6-10-0 SERIES RECORD -- Bears lead 91-64-5 LAST MEETING -- Bears beat Lions 37-23, Jan. 3, 2010 LIONS OFFENSE -- OVERALL (26), RUSH (24), PASS (21) LIONS DEFENSE -- OVERALL (32), RUSH (25), PASS (32) BEARS OFFENSE -- OVERALL (23), RUSH (29), PASS (17) BEARS DEFENSE -- OVERALL...

NFL capsule: San Diego-Kansas City
(Thu, 09 Sep 2010 14:01:43 PDT)
SAN DIEGO (13-4) At KANSAS CITY (4-12) Monday, 10:15 p.m. ET, ESPN OPENING LINE -- Chargers by 5 1/2 RECORD VS. SPREAD -- San Diego 8-8-1; Kansas City 7-9 SERIES RECORD -- Chiefs lead 50-49-1 LAST MEETING -- Chargers beat Chiefs 43-14, Nov. 29, 2009 CHARGERS OFFENSE -- OVERALL (10), RUSH (31), PASS (5) CHARGERS DEFENSE -- OVERALL (16), RUSH (20), PASS (11) CHIEFS OFFENSE -- OVERALL (25), RUSH (11),...

Thursday's National Football League Capsules
(Thu, 09 Sep 2010 13:36:23 PDT)
DETROIT (2-14) At CHICAGO (7-9)

Shutdown Corner predicts the 2010 NFL season
(Thu, 09 Sep 2010 11:12:34 PDT)
After 213 long nights of waiting, professional football is finally back. To prepare for the upcoming 2010 NFL...

NFL preview: Vikings vs. Saints (CBC.ca)
(Thu, 09 Sep 2010 09:58:41 PDT)
'Lombardi Gra' is over, and now the New Orleans Saints begin the difficult task of defending their Super Bowl title when the NFL season kicks off on Thursday.

PFW's preseason draft board (ProFootballWeekly.com)
(Thu, 09 Sep 2010 08:54:06 PDT)
The draft board below will be updated until the start of the regular season. Quarterbacks Rk.

Several NFL teams could face blackouts this season
(Thu, 09 Sep 2010 00:47:00 PDT)
As the start of the NFL regular season draws near, at least 11 teams could be facing TV blackouts in their home markets, USA Today reports. NFL rules require games be blacked out in the home market if they are not sold out 72 hours prior to kickoff. The league, according to the newspaper, had 22 games blacked out last year, a five-year high. Five teams, all of which had losing records, were part of the blackouts last season: Jacksonville Jaguars, Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders and the St.

AccuScore: Saints, Chargers have best playoffs odds
(Wed, 08 Sep 2010 19:42:00 PDT)
The '09 postseason participants are heavy favorites to win their divisions and get back to the playoffs.

NFL Power Poll: Packers' expectations soar, but Jets still No. 1
(Wed, 08 Sep 2010 18:25:00 PDT)
NFL Power Poll: Packers' expectations soar, but Jets still No. 1 Green Bay is the smallest market in the NFL, but no team has created more buzz over the past month. Although last season's 7-1 finish has played a part, the attention is largely based on the unstoppable preseason performance of quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the offense. The players have accepted the high expectations without letting the hype get to them. "I don't see a problem with it," tight end Jermichael Finley said.

Mathews following Tomlinson, not replacing him
(Wed, 08 Sep 2010 17:30:53 PDT)
To Ryan Mathews, there's a distinction: he's following LaDainian Tomlinson, not trying to replace the great running back. After showing his speed and power in the limited context of exhibition games, Mathews gets to unleash it full-time when the San Diego Chargers begin pursuit of their fifth straight AFC West title Monday night at Kansas City.

Vikings-Saints: Great way to get going
(Wed, 08 Sep 2010 14:08:19 PDT)
By BARRY WILNER AP Pro Football Writer

NFL division races: AFC West
(Wed, 08 Sep 2010 07:25:00 PDT)
A look at the strengths, weaknesses, rehab issues and what to expect in the AFC West, as provided by SN's NFL correspondents: San Diego Chargers The strength: QB Philip Rivers' stable of receivers is missing one important piece (Vincent Jackson), but Rivers still has TE Antonio Gates, who has been the team's leading receiver six seasons running, and dependable Malcom Floyd. The screen game is also a huge part of a high-scoring offense.

Chargers release corner back Brandon Hughes
(Tue, 07 Sep 2010 21:40:13 PDT)
SAN DIEGO - The San Diego Chargers have released cornerback Brandon Hughes to make room on the roster for quarterback J.T. O'Sullivan.

Chargers cut Brandon Hughes (The National Football Post)
(Tue, 07 Sep 2010 20:52:00 PDT)
The San Diego Chargers cut cornerback Brandon Hughes, a former fifth-round draft pick. Hughes' release...

Chargers release CB Hughes
(Tue, 07 Sep 2010 20:38:08 PDT)
The San Diego Chargers have released cornerback Brandon Hughes to make room on the roster for quarterback J.T. O'Sullivan. O'Sullivan was signed on Monday. The team also released center-guard Jeff Hansen and quarterback Jonathan Crompton from the practice squad. To replace them, the Chargers re-signed tackle Ryan Otterson and tight end Kory Sperry on Tuesday.

Chargers cut Nate Hughes (The National Football Post)
(Tue, 07 Sep 2010 20:00:22 PDT)
The San Diego Chargers cut cornerback Brandon Hughes, a former fifth-round draft pick. Hughes' release...

NFP Power Rankings (The National Football Post)
(Tue, 07 Sep 2010 14:31:00 PDT)
Each week, the National Football Post will bring you our NFL Power Rankings: a rundown of how we stack up the...

Chargers sign 3rd-string QB O'Sullivan
(Mon, 06 Sep 2010 20:42:10 PDT)
SAN DIEGO - Free agent quarterback J.T. O'Sullivan signed a one-year contract on Monday with the San Diego Chargers.