Sproles' summer showing likely lands him a Bolts roster spot

By: MIKE SULLIVAN - Staff Writer | Tuesday, August 28, 2007 1:08 AM PDT ∞

SAN DIEGO -- Running back Darren Sproles has apparently made the Chargers' roster after a terrific preseason showing. Sproles missed last season with a broken ankle and was considered on the bubble when training camp began.

"I would say Darren has a chance of helping us win football games this year," coach Norv Turner said Monday.

Sproles will likely begin the season as the team's main kickoff returner -- with Michael Turner ailing -- in addition to serving as punt returner.

Turner update

Running back Turner said the injury to his right ankle "is not a full-week injury" and that he'll be ready for the season-opening game against the Chicago Bears on Sept. 9.

Turner suffered a high ankle sprain during Saturday's game against Arizona and was carted off the field.

"There's no major concern," Turner said. "Me being carted off, they were showing that (on television), and (doctors) were just doing that for precautionary reasons. They didn't know, and I didn't know how severe it was."

Hart to start?

Norv Turner hinted that Clinton Hart will open the season as the starting strong safety over second-round pick Eric Weddle.

"I like the way Clinton Hart is playing, so that kind of answers the question," Turner said.

Hart, though, has yet to hear anything official.

"I'll let them decide that, but I believe I put my best foot forward," Hart said.

Roster cuts

The Chargers placed running back Tyronne Gross on injured reserve and released 10 players, moving closer to cutting the roster to 75 players by today's deadline. The Chargers must release one more player by 1 p.m. today.

Gross dislocated his kneecap against St. Louis on Aug. 18 and will undergo season-ending surgery.

The players cut were cornerback Quinton Jones, safety Miguel Merrick, linebacker Zach Latimer, offensive linemen Mike Jones and Jeremy Sheffey, receivers Rhema McKnight, Rich Musinski and Sonny Shackelford, tight end T.J. Cottrell, son of defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell, and quarterback Brett Elliott.

The Chargers host San Francisco on Thursday and then will have to reduce the roster to 53 players by Saturday.

Et cetera

WR Craig Davis (wisdom teeth), DT Brandon McKinney (ankle), G Erik Robertson (ankle) and RB Michael Turner (ankle) missed Monday's practice. DE Igor Olshansky (groin), ILB Matt Wilhelm (calf) and OLB Marques Harris (shoulder) did participate. ... Coach Norv Turner was disappointed in lost fumbles by RBs Michael Turner and Lorenzo Neal in Saturday's game with Arizona. "Those are things we'll coach off of," Turner said. "We show these guys a tape of every fumble we had (last season) but also fumbles around the league, and most of the fumbles come from someone knocking the ball out from behind. It's all technique and a matter of discipline." ... The Chargers announced that enough tickets were sold to lift the local television blackout for Thursday's game against San Francisco. The contest will air at 7 p.m. on Channel 8.

-- Contact staff writer Mike Sullivan at (760) 739-6645 or msullivan@nctimes.com.

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