CHARGERS NOTES: Chambers' day ends early

By LOREN NELSON and MIKE SULLIVAN - Staff Writers | Monday, October 6, 2008 12:13 AM PDT ∞

MIAMI ---- Chargers wide receiver Chris Chambers was limping out of Dolphin Stadium on Sunday afternoon, a duffel bag over one shoulder, a boxed mini pizza in one hand and a crush of thoughts weighing on his mind.

Chambers, who played in Miami for 6 1/2 seasons, sprained his left ankle on the final play of the third quarter and did not return in the Dolphins' 17-10 upset win over the Chargers.

"It's not too serious," Chambers said of the injury as he headed for the team bus. "I'm sure I've had this type of thing before."

Chambers, who was traded to the Chargers midway through last season, was greeted with boos early in the game even though numerous Miami fans were wearing Dolphins jerseys with his name written on the back.

He also scored the Chargers' lone touchdown. The scoring reception came with 3 minutes, 21 seconds left in the third quarter as the Chargers cut a 17-3 deficit down to seven points.

The 17-yard pass from Philip Rivers found Chambers in the right corner of the end zone, and he dragged his toes on the turf while making the grab as he stretched to stay inbounds.

Just six plays later, he was leaving the game. He was hurt after making a 5-yard catch that brought the Chargers to the Dolphins' 1-yard line.

"Yeah, it was real hard (leaving the game)," said Chambers, who had three catches for 30 yards and leads the Chargers with five touchdown catches this season. "I really can't even talk about it. I've got too much stuff going on up here (pointing to his head)."

Tomlinson shut down

RB LaDainian Tomlinson rushed for just 35 yards on 12 carries and had only 57 total yards on 17 touches, including five receptions.

Tomlinson said he was limited by his right big toe, which he originally injured against Carolina on Sept. 7.

"Yeah, it bothered me," Tomlinson said. "I got hit at times, getting it stomped into the ground. It's something I expected. There's nothing I can really do about it."

What hurt even more than the toe was the failure to gain 1 yard on the first play of the final quarter. The Chargers had fourth-and-goal from the Dolphins' 1-yard line and were attempting to tie the score, but Tomlinson was stopped for no gain.

"It was one of our favorite plays down there, and we had been doing it and (been) successful in doing it," Tomlinson said. "But they get paid too, and they did a good job of snuffing out the play. They got penetration and they were able to stop us."

Gates closed

TE Antonio Gates had just one catch and struggled to get open against Miami's secondary.

"They had two weeks to prepare for us, and it was obvious they were prepared," Gates said. "There's really nothing else to say. You have to give them credit, man. They came out and played well."

The Dolphins really registered a shutout of Gates. Television replays confirmed that Gates didn't catch the pass he was credited with catching. The Dolphins didn't challenge the play since the Chargers were sending out the punt team.

Wildcat formation

The Dolphins ran 11 plays out of the "Wildcat," the formation in which RB Ronnie Brown lines up in shotgun and fields a direct snap from center.

Brown didn't throw any passes out of the formation, but did score a touchdown on a 5-yard run.

"They stopped it a few times," said Brown, who rushed for 125 yards. "It's about execution. If we do it the right way, it's going to be a positive thing. It's just a change of pace and being able to give the defense a different look and then going back into our regular formation."

Injury report

Chambers sprained his ankle on the final play of the third quarter and didn't return. He'll be re-evaluated Monday.

As expected, OLB Jyles Tucker missed the contest with a hamstring injury.

Key stat: 7

Consecutive times the Chargers have lost to the Dolphins.

Turning point

The first play of the final quarter when Tomlinson was stuffed on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line by Miami's Vonnie Holliday and Channing Crowder.

Quotable

"You can't take a win for granted. You can't take a team for granted. We don't play them every year and we played a team that wanted to win a football game, and it showed."

---- Gates on the team's lackluster performance against Miami.

Next game

Chargers vs. New England, 5:15 p.m. Sunday

Who's hot

Dolphin Stadium grounds crew: The field was in terrific shape for a venue that hosted the Miami-Florida State game on Saturday and withstood a torrential rainstorm that lasted more than five hours.

Who's not

Norv Turner: That distraught look on his face as he went to congratulate Miami coach Tony Sparano was followed by a cross-country flight with a very angry A.J. Smith.