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The Chargers released their injury report following Saturday’s practice, and the big name to stand out was the team’s big left tackle Jared Gaither, who is listed as doubtful. 

The 6-foot-9, 340-pounder missed his fourth straight practice after suffering the injury in the final minutes of the Bolts loss to the New Orleans Saints. Technically, Gaither has a 25% chance of playing in the game according to the NFL’s designation of being doubtful, but he would need to show significant improvement over the next two days in order to suit up.

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“We obviously have meetings and walkthroughs tomorrow so we’ll get a feel for how much improvement he’s made tomorrow,” said head coach Norv Turner. “Then obviously if there is improvement, we’ll see where he is on Monday. He stays involved.  He’s done a good job.  He’s had this process starting in training camp and I think he’s done a good job of staying mentally involved.  It’s really a matter of evaluating where he’s at and then if he can go we’d like to have him.”

Should Gaither be out, which is increasingly looking to be the case, the left tackle position will belong once again to undrafted rookie Mike Harris, who performed admirably in a starting role the first three games of the year.

“Mike did great,” Philip Rivers said about Harris’ performance as a starter. “We ask a lot out of our tackles, probably more than any other team in the league.  And Mike, since day one, he came in here and didn’t act like he is in over his head.  He’s acted like he belongs, so I have confidence in him.”

Harris has said he feels even more prepared this time around not only because he has those three games under his belt as far as experience goes, but because he’s learned a lot from the man he will replace.

“Just watching Jared I learned a lot,” he said. “His technique and how he approaches the game, I’ve learned a lot just watching him out there.”

Rounding out the injury report, Nate Kaeding (groin) was listed as out, Shareece Wright (ankle) as doubtful , Malcom Floyd (groin) and Eddie Royal (hamstring) as questionable, and Jeromey Clary (foot) and Ryan Mathews (ankle) as probable.

Quick Hits

• Jon Gruden and Mike Tirico observed practice, getting ready for their Monday Night Football coverage on ESPN.
• The Blue Angels performed various stunts in the air above Chargers Park as part of today’s air show at Miramar.
• In a change of pace, the team practiced with simulated crowd noise when the defense was on the field to give practice a more game-like feeling.