Location: San Diego, CA | Stadium: Qualcomm Stadium (70,000) | Owner: Alex Spanos | President/CEO: Dean A. Spanos | GM: A.J. Smith Coach: Norv Turner | League Championships: 1
Chargers coach Norv Turner said LB Anthony Waters underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Friday and will be sidelined two to three weeks. Waters missed last season while recovering from a torn ACL in the same knee while playing for Clemson in 2006. (Updated 07/22/2008)
Chargers QB Philip Rivers, who played hurt in the AFC championship game, said he's fully recovered from the torn anterior cruciate ligament that required surgery. "I've been going full-go now for over a month," Rivers said. "There's nothing I can't do. There are times throughout the day I can't tell which knee I hurt." (Updated 07/22/2008)
Chargers inside linebacker Stephen Cooper was suspended for four games by the NFL on Tuesday for testing positive for a banned stimulant. Cooper, who moved into the starting lineup last season and led the Chargers with 108 total tackles, said in a statement released by the team that he took a stimulant that was recently added to the NFL's list of prohibited substances. While in college, Cooper admitted to possession of steroids after being found with about 1,000 pills in his duffel bag when the driver of an SUV he was riding in was stopped for speeding in 2002. Cooper, who pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor drug charge, said at the time that he never took the steroids, but had been planning to use them to bulk up in hopes of making the NFL. "Obviously we're disappointed, just as I know Stephen is," coach Norv Turner said in a statement. "Coop made a mistake and now must deal with the consequences. It's unfortunate, but we'll deal with it and move on." (Updated 04/16/2008)
Chargers TE Antonio Gates tested his surgically repaired left big toe Monday at training camp and said it's about 65 to 70 percent healed. While rookies and select veterans opened camp, Gates went through a 45-minute workout on a side field. He tested the toe by running and cutting. Gates was hurt in a wild-card playoff win against Tennessee and then played against Indianapolis and New England despite being in obvious pain. He underwent surgery in late-February to repair what he said was a tear in the plantar plate. "Obviously, it's a process," Gates said. "I'm a lot better than I felt a month ago. I can say that. I have no determinant on when and how fast I'll be coming back. But right now, I feel good. It's a little sore, but it's tolerable." Gates said it was too early to know whether he'll be ready for the season opener against the Panthers on Sept. 7. Monday was the third time Gates tested the foot by running, and saw progress when comparing the session to the other two workouts. "The first time I went out there, I wasn't able to finish the workout," Gates said. "The second time, I finished it, but I was really, really sore. Now it's to the point where I can finish the workout and the next day it will be a little bit sore. As it continues to go on and the progress continues, hopefully I can just get through a workout and feel really good the next day." (Updated 07/22/2008)
Chargers kicker Nate Kaeding played in nearly five full games with a fractured lower left leg, including hitting four field goals in Sunday's loss to New England in the AFC championship game. A person familiar with the situation confirmed the injury to The Associated Press on Friday, speaking on condition of anonymity because the team hasn't acknowledged the extent of the injury. Kaeding's left leg is his plant leg. He finished the regular season by making 24-of-27 field goals and all 46 extra points. (Updated 01/28/2008)
LaDainian Tomlinson, the two-time NFL rushing champion, went through individual drills in minicamp this weekend and said he's 100 percent recovered from a sprained left knee that limited him to two carries and one catch in the loss at New England. "It's a start," said Tomlinson, who didn't need surgery. (Updated 05/05/2008)
