Another veteran returns to San Diego

SAN DIEGO – Billy Volek and the Chargers agreed on a two-year contract Saturday.

“Having Billy back is great,” General Manager A.J. Smith said. “He has been an integral part of our team, knows our system and has performed well when called upon. Billy is a true pro, always prepared and ready to step in if necessary.”

Volek, a 12-year veteran, spent the last five seasons in San Diego. He provides valuable insurance behind Philip Rivers at what many believe is the most important position in football.

Though Volek has thrown just 48 passes in a Chargers uniform, he has made them count, completing 58.3 percent. The biggest, though, came in the ’08 AFC Divisional Playoff win at Indianapolis.

A torn ACL forced Rivers to the sideline during the third quarter. Volek, who didn’t throw a pass all season, engineered an eight-play, 78-yard touchdown drive, finishing it with a 1-yard quarterback sneak for the game-winning touchdown with less than five minutes left in the game.

Volek marks the 11th player the Chargers have re-signed from last year’s roster, joining Eric Weddle, Vincent Jackson, Jacques Cesaire, Jeromey Clary, Scott Mruczkowski, Brandyn Dombrowski, Mike Tolbert, Randy McMichael, Antwan Barnes and Dante Hughes.