Weddle wants W over Dolphins, not excuses
The Chargers, practicing for the first time since the loss at Denver, lacked three defensive backs Wednesday as the secondary continues to be in flux.
Out were Jason Verrett (shoulder), Brandon Flowers (concussion) and Jahleel Addae (concussion) along with five others including linebacker Jerry Attaochu.
For seven weeks, injury has kept the secondary’s main rotation from practicing full together.
But the unit’s top performer hears no violin music.
“There’s no excuses by us,” Eric Weddle said. “We’re going to play with who we play with, and it’s the responsibility of the players that are in there to go out there and play at a high level and play together.”
Weddle acknowledged a key mental lapse or two within the group at Denver. He declined to link them to injury-related flux in practices or games, saying smart play based on game circumstances is the answer.
Beating the Dolphins on Sunday would end a two-game losing streak. Weddle’s mood would benefit, too.
“Losing is nothing a part of me. I hate it. I despise it,” he said. “And I don’t want to be anything remotely near it.”
He added, “We’ve just got to get this win.”
Running back returns
Donald Brown was a full participant in his first practice since a Jets linebacker concussed him Oct. 5. Brown, who said it was his first concussion, has played in five games and started two since joining the Chargers last March on a three-year contract. He’s sixth on the team in receptions with 13 and second to rookie Branden Oliver in rushing with 59 carries for 126 yards (2.1).
Sidelined
Dwight Freeney (knee), Ryan Mathews (knee), Rich Ohrnberger (back) and Manti Te’o (foot) didn’t practice. Reggie Walker (ankle) was limited.
Cornerback Steve Williams (groin) went full for the first time since leaving Oct. 18 versus the Chiefs.
Skewed rest
While it’s true the Chargers had last weekend off, Freeney noted that was because they played Thursday instead of Sunday.
“I’m still recovering from the two games we had in five days,” he said, smiling. “It’s getting there. Whatever I can do to help this team, whatever is asked of me, I’m going to do as much as I possibly can. Rest? If you want to call it rest, it’s kind of like a skewed rest.
“People are like, ‘You’ve had a great long rest.’ Well, half of those days, I’m recovering from what I wasn’t supposed to be doing on that Thursday night.”
Notably
• CB Richard Crawford’s practice Wednesday was his first since the Chargers claimed the El Camino High (Oceanside) and SMU alum off waivers from Washington. Crawford said it was exciting to have a chance to play and join a “Super Bowl-contending team,” let alone the club closest to his mother, Jacqueline Crawford, who lives in Oceanside and had been traveling to the D.C. area. The 5-foot-11, 192-pounder said the Chargers’ defensive system is “real similar” to that of Washington. A day after releasing Crawford, Washington signed CB Greg Ducre off the Chargers’ practice squad and put him on their 53-man roster.
• Philip Rivers said losing two games in five days to “good teams” smarted but didn’t erase evidence that the Chargers (5-3) are a good team. The quarterback cited New England’s turnaround since the Chiefs “killed” them on Monday Night Football a few games ago. “Everybody’s saying, ‘New England’s done’ and ‘(Tom) Brady’s done,’ and then you watch the last two weeks, and they’re playing like the best team in the league,” he said.
• The Chargers replaced CB Aaron Hester on their practice squad with CB Kendall James, a rookie drafted in the sixth round by the Vikings.
