CHARGERS NOTES: Hart will play on despite surgery

By MIKE SULLIVAN - Staff Writer | Monday, September 15, 2008 10:41 PM PDT ∞

SAN DIEGO ---- Starting strong safety Clinton Hart underwent surgery on his left hand Monday morning, one day after breaking the hand during a 39-38 loss to Denver.

Hart said the injury will not cause him to miss any games. The Chargers host the New York Jets next Monday night.

"(Doctors) did a good job getting in there and taking care of what they needed to take care of," said Hart, sporting a thick bandage to protect the hand. "I'll be ready to go Monday."

Hart said he broke the hand during the first quarter, when he collided with teammate Eric Weddle.

"It was friendly fire," the good-natured Hart said.

Surgery, fine for Merriman

Linebacker Shawne Merriman underwent an operation to repair two torn knee ligaments on Monday, according to a league source.

Merriman didn't respond to an e-mail seeking comment.

Merriman decided last Tuesday to stop trying to play on the injured knee and to have surgery to fix the torn posterior cruciate and lateral collateral ligaments. He's out for the season.

Merriman also is $7,500 poorer after the NFL fined him for unnecessary roughness for a hit on Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme on Sept. 7.

According to a league spokesman, the fine was because Merriman "unnecessarily struck the quarterback below the knee area."

Tomlinson's toe

Running back LaDainian Tomlinson said his jammed right big toe felt a "little better than last week," when he met with reporters on Monday.

Tomlinson aggravated the injury during Sunday's game against the Broncos but remains hopeful that it won't linger into October.

"I'll be very surprised if I have to deal with this toe injury for another three weeks," Tomlinson said. "Heck, I don't think I'll have to deal with it another couple weeks."

Defenseless

The Chargers rank among the worst defenses in the NFL after two games. They are 30th in total defense (437.0) and 31st in pass defense (293.5). Only the hapless Detroit Lions and St. Louis Rams rank below the Chargers in total defense.

"Guys are playing hard, and that's all we can ask," Hart said. "It's not like we're out there trying to give up a whole bunch of yards."

Turner pointed to a couple reasons for the struggles.

"We haven't been able to create the turnovers," said Turner, mindful that the Chargers produced a league-best 48 turnovers last season. "We have to find a way to create more pass rush. And when we have opportunities to get turnovers, we have to make them."

The Chargers have forced just two turnovers (one fumble, one interception) and also have recorded just two sacks.

Et cetera

Chargers coach Norv Turner wasn't interested in a television reporter's question about how much the defense has been affected by the loss of three-time Pro Bowl OLB Shawne Merriman. "That's an impossible question to answer," Turner said. "I'm not going to answer your question every week. Shawne's not going to be with us. To get into that discussion is a waste of your time and my time." ... Turner said CB Antonio Cromartie (hip) and TE Antonio Gates (hip/toe) were both sore Monday. Turner also disclosed that FS Eric Weddle (groin) is less than 100 percent. ... The NFL Network will air a 90-minute replay of Sunday's Chargers-Broncos game at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday.