SAN DIEGO -- The tread marks left from that runaway train named Adrian Peterson haven't dissipated. Epic record-setting performances just don't fade away overnight.

So when the Chargers line up to play the Indianapolis Colts in a nationally televised prime-time contest on Sunday night, Peterson's 296-yard rushing effort will be a frequent discussion topic, and the audience will repeatedly see clips of the Minnesota rookie running wild on the Chargers.

Such a complete dismantling leaves an unwelcome perception of the Chargers' defense, and it will be interesting to see how the unit responds on the national stage.

"I don't care what stage we're on," defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell said Thursday. "We just have to do a better job. It's no more important than any game that we have each week. We have to go out and perform."

The Chargers (4-4) had been known for playing stellar run defense prior to Peterson's romp and they would like to view his record-setting afternoon as an aberration.

The facts certainly bear that out. The Chargers were seventh in the NFL in run defense prior to playing the Vikings. They gave up 378 yards on the ground to Minnesota after allowing a cumulative total of 398 over the previous five games.

The fallout included the Chargers dropping to 22nd in defending the run. And among the people surprised over the avalanche of rushing yards allowed is Colts coach Tony Dungy.

"They're a very proud defensive team and they're a very good defense," Dungy said in a midweek conference call. "They got hit with about five runs that put them in the record book, and I'm sure they're not happy about that. We expect to see their best."

The Chargers won't have all their best defensive players in the lineup against the Colts, not with defensive end Luis Castillo sidelined for at least six weeks after ankle surgery.

Cottrell pointed to Castillo's absence as part of the reason for the second-half struggles against the Vikings. Peterson had just 43 yards at halftime when Castillo was healthy. Castillo hurt his ankle on the second play of the half, and Peterson exploded for 253 second-half yards.

"We lost Luis, and that was a big blow for us," Cottrell said. "He was having a great game. They couldn't even block the guy. Then when he went out, things got a lot different."

Chargers coach Norv Turner pointed out that it wasn't only Castillo's absence that hurt the run defense.

Outside linebacker Shaun Phillips missed the game with a groin injury and cornerback Quentin Jammer re-injured his hamstring early in the contest.

Playing a man short at all three defensive areas -- the line, linebacker and the secondary -- was too much to overcome during a second half in which the Chargers had difficulty tackling Peterson.

"People talk about the tackling and the different things that happened in that second half, but obviously Shaun Phillips didn't play at all, and Jammer is one of our bigger tacklers and Luis was having a heck of a game," Turner said. "Every time you miss a guy, someone has to step up."

The Chargers face a tough task in their rebound opportunity with the legendary Peyton Manning guiding an Indianapolis offense that ranks third in total offense. The Colts (seventh in rushing, eighth in passing) can run and pass the ball well.

"The thing you have to do with Peyton is you have to keep him guessing on what you're doing," strong safety Clinton Hart said. "If you let him know right off the bat what you're doing, especially in the secondary, he'll pick you apart.

"We have to move around and keep him on his toes. Don't let him get comfortable. Our front seven has to do their thing and get to him and put some pressure on him."

Of course, there will plenty of people observing how the Chargers fare at stuffing the run. Colts back Joseph Addai ranks third in the NFL in rushing with 704 yards.

"He's nifty and he's quick," Cottrell said. "You have to have a lot of people around him."

Chargers notes

CB Quentin Jammer (hamstring) missed practice again Thursday and appears unlikely to play in Sunday's game against Indianapolis. Coach Norv Turner wasn't ready to rule Jammer out, but didn't sound very hopeful of Jammer being available to play. … C Nick Hardwick (foot) and OLB Marques Harris (toe) also missed practice. OLB Shawne Merriman (knee) returned after missing Wednesday's workout.

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