SAN DIEGO - Luis Castillo couldn't wait for Christmas Eve. The day before Christmas was professionally anticlimactic for most Chargers, who were playing in a Monday night game that didn't mean too much. While the 23-3 victory over the Denver Broncos sustained the Chargers' No. 3 seed in the AFC playoffs, the home team had both a postseason berth and a division title locked up before kickoff.

It was still a major moment for Castillo, who targeted that date for what he hoped would be a triumphant return to action.

"It was going to be my Christmas special," Castillo said. "I'd been out for such a long time and I was really looking forward to getting back."

Castillo missed six games with an injured right ankle, just one year after losing six games to a problem with his left. That's why Castillo was determined to take the field against Denver and start getting ready for the postseason.

Castillo realized his goal and got some playing time, albeit only on passing downs.

"I talked to Luis before the game and I told him that he might have to knock some of that rust off," Chargers safety Clinton Hart said. "But he didn't seem to have any rust on him. Maybe he got some WD-40 before the game because he went out there and didn't skip a beat. He did really well."

He capitalized on this opportunity, recording two tackles, a sack and a pass defensed in his first action since Nov. 4.

"Six weeks is a long time to not play this game," Castillo said. "You look at the way we start a season and we spend four or five weeks getting ready to play the first game, so going out all of a sudden when you're still in a lot of pain is pretty tough.

"But at the same time, it felt so special. To be able to get back on the field, to feel like you helped your team win, is a great feeling. I've missed it. Oh boy, have I missed it."

Extended downtime brought detachment, leaving Castillo once removed from the Chargers' recent successes.

"I've come into this locker room the last four games (before the Denver contest), all of which we've won, and I've had such an empty feeling inside," Castillo said. "That happens because you're not in there, because you weren't part of the effort."

Castillo knows that feeling all too well after missing 12 of the last 24 games.

He was determined to make it stop with an onfield contribution against Denver, despite being less than 100 percent.

Castillo freely admits that playing pain free this season is a pipe dream. But playing most every down - not just in passing situations - should happen soon, especially if Castillo continues to progress.

"I've done everything I needed to do in terms of the weight room, in terms of conditioning, to get ready," Castillo said. "Right now, it's just a technique thing. The important thing will be to get back in there against Oakland and be involved in some more plays.

"I need to get back in there and be a part of our base defense and play some against the run. I need to really push it so when the playoffs come around, I'm rolling and feeling close to 100 percent."

Chargers notes

The Chargers had Tuesday off to celebrate Christmas. The team will return to the practice field today in prepararation for Sunday's game at Oakland.

- Contact staff writer Scott Bair at (760) 739-6642 or sbair@nctimes.com.