CHARGERS NOTES: Receiver Parker not long for the team

By MIKE SULLIVAN - Staff Writer | Monday, July 21, 2008 11:35 PM PDT ∞

SAN DIEGO ---- Receiver Eric Parker is listed on the Chargers' training camp roster, but sources say the team will release or trade him before Friday's first full-squad practice.

Parker missed all of last season with a toe injury. He's expendable after the team acquired veteran Chris Chambers in the middle of last season to go with the 2007 drafting of young receivers Craig Davis and Legedu Naanee.

Parker's agent, Jack Bechta, has been given permission to find a suitor for his client. Bechta hasn't responded to phone or e-mail messages in the last few days.

Said general manager A.J. Smith, "If we have any developments regarding Eric, we'll let you know immediately."

Parker joined the Chargers in 2002 and has 187 career receptions.

Waters undergoes surgery

Linebacker Anthony Waters underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Friday and will be sidelined two to three weeks.

Coach Norv Turner said Waters recently felt a twinge in the knee.

Waters missed all of last season after tearing the ACL in the same knee while playing for Clemson in 2006.

Cason watch

There was no progress in negotiations with first-round pick Antoine Cason, according to team officials and Cason's agent, Ron Slavin.

Cason, a cornerback chosen 27th overall in April's draft, officially became a holdout when he missed Monday's workout.

"I wish he was here, but he's not," Turner said. "I never try to speculate on progress and are they close or are they not close? There's no such thing in my mind. It's either done or it's not done. I thought it would be done now. It's not. When it's done, he'll get in here and start practicing."

Hardwick headed to PUP list

It appears center Nick Hardwick will be placed on the NFL's physically unable to perform list within the next several days.

Hardwick had foot surgery in March and will likely miss the first month of the season.

"I'm personally curious to how Nick unfolds because it was late (surgery) and it was a foot," Smith said.

A player placed on the PUP list can be removed at any time. But if he's not removed before the start of the season, he's required to miss the first six regular-season games.

Turner said tight end Antonio Gates (toe) also might be placed on the PUP list.

Williams to be limited

Turner said standout defensive tackle Jamal Williams will have his practice time limited once the veterans begin practicing on Friday. Williams underwent surgeries on both knees this offseason.

"I believe he's getting ready to have a great year," Turner said. "He's worked awfully hard and he's done the things with the knees to get himself in the best shape he can be."

Et cetera

QB Philip Rivers (knee) reiterated that he's fully recovered from January surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. "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." ... Coach Norv Turner restated that he has no plans to use RB LaDainian Tomlinson in the preseason. "He gets tackled enough," Turner said. "He doesn't need to go out there and practice getting tackled. He'll be ready to go when the season starts." ... Third-round choice Jacob Hester, who handled the bulk of the ball-carrying with only rookies and select veterans on hand, was asked if he expected the heavy workload to continue throughout training camp. "We have a pretty good guy who will be in here in a couple days," said Hester, referring to Tomlinson.

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