CHARGERS: Castillo is fine with no fine on Jets' Jones

By MIKE SULLIVAN - Staff Writer | Saturday, September 27, 2008 6:34 PM PDT ∞

Chargers defensive end Luis Castillo avoided a potentially serious knee injury in Monday's game against the Jets. NCT file photo.

SAN DIEGO ---- New York Jets running back Thomas Jones wasn't fined for his low block on Luis Castillo during Monday night's game, and Castillo has no problem with the NFL office's decision.

"It's part of the game," Castillo said Friday. "Even if I had been engaged with the (offensive) tackle, it would have been completely accidental."

The play drew lots of attention because it occurred on "Monday Night Football" and was replayed over and over. That meant that millions of people saw Castillo's left knee buckle after being hit by Jones' helmet, and feared that the Chargers' defensive end had suffered a major injury.

But Castillo returned later in the game. Four days later, he emphasized that he's thankful to have avoided a major injury.

"I've never been mad about this," he said. "I've been relieved."

And who can blame him? In each of the previous two seasons, Castillo missed six games with two different ankle injuries.

He said the play on which he was hurt last season against Minnesota was much more devastating than what occurred last Monday.

"There was a worse rotation on my foot," Castillo said. "The problem was it was in a pile and nobody could see it. If I would've gotten hurt this year, everybody would've said, 'Yeah, he definitely got hurt. That was a hell of an injury.'

"But now people say 'he's injury-prone' and this and that because of what happened last year. The torque on my leg last year was much worse. It's part of the game you can't control. You don't worry about it. You go out and play and when one of those things happen, you thank the Lord when you can get up from it."

Castillo leads Chargers defensive linemen in tackles with 12 but believes he can do better as a pass rusher ---- he has no sacks. He's looking forward to Sunday's game against Oakland for one major reason.

"Because I think this team is going to come out and run the ball my way," Castillo said. "Other teams have done some things where they take it outside and they haven't attacked towards me.

"I'm looking forward to this game because these guys are going to come at me, and it's going to be a hell of a challenge."

Center of attention

Center Nick Hardwick was listed as questionable on Friday's injury report, but even Jeremy Newberry, who started the first three games, expects to see Hardwick return Sunday after being sidelined because of offseason foot surgery.

"He's going to play," Newberry said after Friday's practice. "I don't know how much, but I'm pretty sure he'll play. We'll see what happens from there."

Chargers coach Norv Turner reiterated that he will decide whether Hardwick starts or not on either Saturday or Sunday. Hardwick said he doesn't know what the decision will be.

"It's a game-time thing," Hardwick said. "Depends on how I wake up and feel on Sunday, I guess."

Newberry said he will be prepared just in case.

"I have to be ready to play," Newberry said. "I have to prepare like I'm going to be the starter every single week and prepare myself to play the whole game because anything's possible in this business."

Defending Sproles

The Raiders have traditionally struggled to contain running back LaDainian Tomlinson, and now the problem has become twofold with elusive Darren Sproles emerging as an offensive weapon.

"He adds a dimension we really haven't seen before (from the Chargers) because he's a change-of-pace back," Oakland middle linebacker Kirk Morrison said. "But at the same time, it's more up tempo with him.

"If you're not disciplined in what you do, he can hurt you."

Through three games, Sproles has rushed for 94 yards on 14 carries, a nifty 6.7 average. He also has four receptions for 111 yards, including a 66-yard scoring catch-and-run against Denver.

Et cetera

QB Philip Rivers won the "Air" portion of the FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week for his performance against the New York Jets last Monday. Rivers threw for 250 yards and three touchdowns. FedEx will donate $1,000 in Rivers' name to the Safe Kids USA coalition in San Diego. Miami RB Ronnie Brown won the "Ground" part of the award. ... RB LaDainian Tomlinson (toe), TE Antonio Gates (hip), G Kris Dielman (thigh), C Jeremy Newberry (knees) and DT Jamal Williams (knees) were all listed as probable on Friday's injury report. Three Oakland players will miss the game: RB Justin Fargas (groin), TE Ben Troupe (foot) and T Seth Wand (knee). G Cooper Carlisle (ankle) and DT Gerard Warren (pectoral) are doubtful, while CB Nnamdi Asomugha (elbow), DE Derrick Burgess (triceps), RB Darren McFadden (toe) and CB Stanford Routt (ankle) are all questionable.

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