Chargers thrive in face of absences, injuries
By: MICHAEL KLITZING - Staff Writer | ∞
SAN DIEGO -- Jovial defensive coordinator Wade Phillips sidled up to Luis Castillo on Sunday after the Chargers' victory over the DenverİBroncos and offered his injured defensive end words of encouragement.
"We can't seem to win without you and (Shawne) Merriman," Phillips said after the Chargers won their second consecutive game without the services of both standout pass rushers.
Castillo, who has missed two weeks with an ankle injury, can smile aboutİthe jokeİnow. That's because his days of frustration on the sideline might be nearing an end.
Though Castillo did not practice on Wednesday and said he doesn't know if he will be able to play Sunday, he seemed optimistic.
"I'm feeling a lot better today," said Castillo, who ranks third on the team with five sacks. "You know what, it's shown so much improvement from last night to today. Today has really been a huge day in terms of how much more I can do than the two weeks before, just in terms of rehab.
"Even though it's been miserable (not playing) the way the last two games have been ---- pretty much the most exciting games I've seen since I've been here ---- it's great to finally see some light at the end of the tunnel and feel like I really have a chance this week."
Among the laundry list of Chargers on the team's injury report ---- there were 13 players listed either questionable or probable on Wednesday ---- coach Marty Schottenheimer said Castillo was "still the furthest away."
But the Chargers' pass rush could use a speedy return to health.
Also held out of practice Wednesday and listed questionable to play Sunday is outside linebacker Shaun Phillips, who is second on the team with eight sacks.
Phillips, though, played through his calf strain against Denver and said he feels about the same as he did at this time last week.
"Barring any setbacks, I'm definitely playing on Sunday," he said.
So far, the Chargers have done well facing adversity in the front seven. They lead the league with 36 sacks despite losing top pass rusher Merriman to suspension for the past three games ---- he will return after the Raiders game ---- Steve Foley for the year to a preseason shooting, and Castillo and Phillips for two games apiece because of injury.
And though opponents' point totals have increased ---- 31 points per game the past three weeks ---- the Chargers have not lost since Merriman started his suspension.
"In this business, not just this team but every other team goes through the same things, whether it's injuries or off- the-field things," said Marques Harris, a reserve who has collected two sacks filling in at outside linebacker.
"Whatever that may be, guys are going to get called upon. I think we've done a good job ---- a great job. Even though we've had a lot of guys out, we've been able to keep moving forward and get those wins."
A Chargers pass rush that featured Merriman, Castillo and Phillips feasted on Raiders quarterback Aaron Brooks when the two teams met in the season opener in Oakland in September, sacking him nine times.
Asked Wednesday whether he thought the Raiders were catching a break byİfacingİa dinged-upİChargers defense this time, Brooks called it "a plus." Butİhis optimism didn't match Castillo's.
"They're still playing hard, they're still playing fast and they've still got a lot of talent," Brooks said.İ"So they're not really bad off."
CHARGERS NOTES: As expected, the NFL hit DE Igor Olshansky with a $10,000 fine on Wednesday for his altercation with Broncos C Tom Nalen last Sunday. Nalen, who lunged at Olshansky's legs to spur the incident, was fined $25,000. "I think the numbers just speak for themselves," Olshansky said. ... WR Keenan McCardell (calf), S Marlon McCree (calf) and S Bhawoh Jue (knee) did not practice and were listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Raiders. Other players listed as questionable include G Kris Dielman (ankle), DT Jacques Cesaire (ankle), WR Malcom Floyd (ankle) and WR Eric Parker (neck).
-- Contact staff writer Michael Klitzing at mklitzing@nctimes.com.
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