SAN DIEGO - The Chargers put one veteran on the shelf on Monday and, in a somewhat surprising move, sent another one packing.

Early in the day, the team placed hobbled left tackle Roman Oben on the physically unable to perform list, meaning he cannot practice with the team until after Week 6.

Later in the afternoon came the unexpected as experienced quarterback A.J. Feeley -- a player many assumed would slide in as the backup quarterback behind first-year starter Philip Rivers -- was waived.

Chargers general manager A.J. Smith said the decision to part with Feeley had more to do with the performance of rookie Charlie Whitehurst than any shortcomings from Feeley.

"This was really a statement about Whitehurst," Smith said. "We think Charlie's had a solid camp, and we've been pleased with his fast development."

Coach Marty Schottenheimer was also quick to sing the praises of Whitehurst -- a third-round pick out of Clemson -- for his quick release and good decision making under pressure.

"We evaluated over the course of the camp and the three preseason games and we decided that Charlie was going to be our No. 2," Schottenheimer said. "If we were going to keep A.J. (Feeley) around, he would have to be inactive, and that just didn't seem to make any sense."

Feeley, acquired last year from Miami in a trade for Cleo Lemon, has 13 career starts under his belt as a member of the Dolphins and Eagles. None of the Chargers three remaining quarterbacks -- Rivers, Whitehurst and rookie Brett Elliott -- has ever started an NFL regular-season game.

"That's always a concern," Smith said of inexperience. "You'd like to draw up everything to be perfect where you've got the experienced starter, the experienced backup and a developmental guy. But we just want good football players, whether they're experienced or not."

Said Schottenheimer: "I'm confident with the ones we have. A couple of years ago, Pittsburgh did OK with a rookie quarterback."

Still, Smith did not rule out bringing in another veteran passer, and he'll surely scour the glut of players flooding the waiver wire this week as teams trim down rosters to 75 by today and 53 by Saturday.

Oben, an 11th-year player in his third season with the Chargers, has had a slow recovery after injuring his left foot last Oct. 30 against Kansas City. His chances for playing this season will be determined after Week 6, when the team has three weeks to decide whether to add him to the active roster or put him on the reserve list.

Though Oben didn't want to speculate Monday on when he might return to the field, he said he still feels he is progressing.

"I'm still limping, but that's always going to happen the rest of my life," he said. "I was able to jog and start doing some stuff, but it wasn't happening as fast as I would have liked. From a football standpoint, I'm not where I'd like to be, and that's why the decision was made."

Seven other players were dispatched Monday, including two 2006 draft picks -- sixth round selection Kurt Smith, a kicker who was competing with Nate Kaeding to handle kickoff duties, and offensive lineman Jimmy Martin, a seventh-round choice.

The others were running back Bryson Sumlin, wide receivers Gerran Walker and Mark Simmons, cornerback Anthony Mims and safety Jerrell Pippens.

The Chargers need to make one more cut by 1 p.m.today to get under the 75-player maximum.

CHARGERS NOTES: Donnie Edwards (back) returned to practice Monday for the first time since early in camp. Coach Marty Schottenheimer said Edwards looked rusty, but he does expect him to start in Friday's exhibition game against the 49ers. … The competition in the secondary is starting to work itself out. Said Schottenheimer: "As we speak, Marlon (McCree) is at free safety and Terrence (Kiel) is at strong safety." He also indicated CB Drayton Florence has so far held off rookie Antonio Cromartie. … WR Vincent Jackson (scratched lung) is unlikely to play Friday, but WR Eric Parker (thumb) may see some time. Schottenheimer expects special teams standout Hanik Milligan (thumb) and S Bhawoh Jue (knee) will play against the 49ers.

- Contact staff writer Michael Klitzing at mklitzing@nctimes.com.

Kevin O'Connell

> Position: Quarterback

> Height: 6-foot-6

> Weight: 225 pounds

> Year: Junior

> For the record: O'Connell compiled a 7-10 mark in 17 career starts at San Diego State.

> Fleet feet: Last year, O'Connell set a school record for rushing yards by a quarterback with 402.