CHARGERS NOTES: Cesaire to take over for Castillo

By MIKE SULLIVAN - Staff Writer | Saturday, November 22, 2008 5:07 PM PST ∞

Jacques Cesaire is expected to start at defensive end for the Chargers on Sunday night against the Colts. Photo by Bill Wechter - Staff photographer.

SAN DIEGO ---- Chargers coach Norv Turner indicated Friday that Jacques Cesaire will likely start at defensive end against Indianapolis on Sunday night after Luis Castillo missed the entire week's worth of practices.

"He's listed as doubtful so that's pretty doubtful," Turner said of Castillo, who suffered a groin injury during last Sunday's loss to Pittsburgh.

Oddly enough, Cesaire looked like he might be in jeopardy of missing the Colts' game after crumbling to the turf in pain during the fourth quarter of the same game. But Cesaire's knee injury turned out to be a bruise.

The good-nature Cesaire is now poking fun at himself for appearing like a drama queen.

"I think it was a blessing it wasn't any worse," Cesaire said. "I'm glad I was very dramatic. I'm just a big baby, man.

"I got a body thrown into my knee and it buckled back really bad and it hurt really bad. I thought it was worse than it really was. I came off the field limping, I made everybody feel worried, and got an MRI and all it was was a stinking bruise.

"I'm just a baby."

Cesaire didn't play like a toddler, recording two of the Chargers' four sacks against Pittsburgh. He could now be in position to add to that total if Castillo can't play.

"We'll wait and see how it's feeling on Sunday," said Castillo, who indicated the injury has improved in recent days. "It feels better and has gotten a lot stronger over the last few days."

Return(s) encore?

Darren Sproles had a contest for the ages against the Colts last November, becoming just the ninth player in NFL history to return both a kickoff and punt for a touchdown in the same game.

Sproles knows the Colts will be gunning for him on Sunday night.

"Probably," Sproles said. "But I'll try my best to do it again."

Sproles returned the opening kickoff 89 yards for a touchdown. Later in the first quarter, he took a punt 45 yards for a score.

How many opportunities Sproles will get to return the ball Sunday could be an issue.

"We can do some things to kick the ball away from him," Colts coach Tony Dungy said.

Red zone differences

The Colts' and Chargers' offenses are on different sides of the spectrum when it comes to performance in the red zone. The Colts lead the NFL in percentage of touchdowns scored once they've reached the opponents' 20-yard line while the Chargers rank 24th.

Indianapolis has scored touchdowns on 21 of 29 red zone possessions, an impressive 72.4 percent success rate. The Chargers are at 48.7 percent, scoring touchdowns on just 19-of-39 possessions and having settled for 16 field goals.

The Colts are also eighth in the NFL in red zone defense, having allowed just 15 touchdowns on 35 opponents' possessions.

"I think they've been very good on offense in the red zone and on defense in the red zone," Turner said. "So it's a challenge for both sides of the ball.

"They lead the league in that category (on offense) and that's a big part of any game but particularly with the success they've had."

Et cetera

RB LaDainian Tomlinson is six receptions away from becoming the fifth player in NFL history with 10,000 career rushing yards and 500 catches. The four who've previously accomplished that feat are Marcus Allen, Tiki Barber, Marshall Faulk and Emmitt Smith. … Tomlinson (11,336 yards) needs 17 yards Sunday to pass John Riggins (1971-85) and move into 14th place on the NFL's all-time rushing list. ... CB Cletis Gordon (knee) will miss his second consecutive game. … CB Antonio Cromartie (hip) was a full practice participant for the first time this week and was listed as probable for Sunday's contest. ILB Stephen Cooper (elbow) and S Steve Gregory (neck) also are good to go. … Indianapolis SS Bob Sanders, the NFL Defensive Player of the Year last season, didn't practice all week because of a knee injury. The Colts listed Sanders as questionable and he figures to be a game-time decision.

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