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Reinforcements coming for Chargers

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Two Chargers returned to practice Thursday after extensive absences.

Additional help is on the way.

Cornerback Brandon Flowers and outside linebacker Jerry Attaochu were listed as full and limited participants, respectively. Flowers missed one game with an Oct. 19 concussion against the Chiefs. Attaochu has played one or fewer snaps five of the past six weeks. Their official statuses for Sunday in Miami will be announced Friday when the Chargers submit their injury report.

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Outside linebacker Melvin Ingram (hip) won’t make that report. On injured reserve with a designation to return, he’s currently not part of the 53-man roster.

Running back Ryan Mathews (knee) and inside linebacker Manti Te’o (foot) are expected to be listed as “out.”

Another classification for those three is “soon.”

While difficult to forecast exactly when they’ll return, each is making good progress in his rehab. Ingram becomes eligible to return Week 11 versus the Raiders following the bye, so his window opens there. That game has been the target date for Te’o for some time. Of the three, the outlook for Mathews can be stated most strongly. Barring a setback, it would be a shock at this point if he isn’t on the field for the home game against Oakland.

Ingram and Mathews first will miss their seventh game Sunday. It’s the sixth for Te’o.

The first game after the bye is Nov. 16.

“That’s a big target,” Mathews said. “I was trying to go for this game, but I’m just waiting for the go-ahead. (The doctors and athletic trainers) are the professionals, not me. I can’t wait to get back out there with my team.”

Flowers is expected to start Sunday.

He’s missed two games this year, one to a groin strain and another to the recent concussion. His presence will be vital over the second half of the season for a defense without cornerback Jason Verrett indefinitely due to a shoulder injury.

Flowers, a seventh-year veteran, has never missed more than three games in an NFL season.

“I feel like as soon as I get in a groove, something comes up,” he said. “I usually don’t miss a lot of games, so hopefully I got them all out of the way now. That’s how I look at it, just trying to stay positive and be on the field every game from here on out.”

Nuts ‘n’ Bolts

• Center Rich Ohrnberger continues to combat a back ailment. After resting Wednesday, he was a full participant Thursday. Outside linebacker Dwight Freeney (knee) was on the same schedule.

• Donald Brown (concussion) had his second straight full practice. He and Mathews’ imminent return means Sunday’s game is likely the last in which the Chargers backfield has its current makeup. Ronnie Brown and Shaun Draughn have helped spell Branden Oliver at different times this month. The team soon won’t need to carry both on the roster, although it could opt to carry one.

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