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Chargers Head Coach Norv Turner knows what Buster Davis is capable of every time he’s on the field, and a healthy, well-prepared Davis showed Chargers in the team’s preseason opener against the Seahawks.

The Chargers’ 2007 first-round draft pick returned kicks and punts Saturday night and recorded three receptions on 64 yards receiving, including a 41-yard bomb from Charlie Whitehurst early in the third quarter.

“Buster has that gear,” Chargers head coach Norv Turner said.  “All you have to do is look at our Jets game from last year, he has that gear. I’m pleased he’s healthy.  He had a good week of practice. I hope he comes out of this game healthy and can continue to practice.”

Davis ended the 2008 season, his second in the NFL, on injured reserve and spent a long offseason rehabbing his surgically-repaired groin.  Saturday was his first game action since the Chargers’ Week 5 contest at Miami early last October.

“It feels good to get out there and get into some real live action since last September,” Davis said.  “It feels good to get back out there and make plays.”

Although Davis has a few receivers in front of him in the depth chart, he understands that he plays a certain role and is willing to contribute in any way possible.

“I know that it’s very hard to be the third, fourth or fifth receiver and have 100-yard games,” Davis said. “I’m just here to be another added piece to the puzzle.”

In addition to his big plays in the passing game, Davis returned two kickoffs for 48 yards and returned three punts for 19 yards. His longest return of the night came on the opening kickoff which he returned 27 yards to the Chargers 31-yard line.

“It felt good to return kickoffs and punts again,” Davis said.  “I know once the season starts, that’s Darren (Sproles)’s role.  He’s a Pro Bowl-caliber returner.  I know that his role is going to increase in the running game. There will be times when he needs a breather and it’ll be my job to get back there and be explosive just like he is.”

Davis took some big shots against the Seahawks, particularly in the return game, but he felt healthy afterwards and is ready to go back to work and continue what’s been a strong training camp.

“I’m just trying to go out and show my critics that I can do what is expected of me and what the Chargers brought me here to do,” Davis said.  “Whatever Coach Turner and Coach (Clarence) Shelmon ask me to do I will do it to the best of my ability. Tonight was fun, but we’ve got to build on it.”