Chargers quarterback 
Running back
Linebacker
“Guys have different things they want to accomplish in that first preseason game, depending where you’re at in your career and where you’re at from a health standpoint,” wide receiver
The preseason schedule begins Saturday for the Chargers, who host the Seattle Seahawks at Qualcomm Stadium in their opener, and Chargers Head Coach Norv Turner will divvy out playing time in accordance with what each player needs to accomplish.
“The biggest thing is that everyone on our team is at a different point in where they are as a player,” Turner said. “When you’re talking about guys who have been here and been starters for three or four years, you want them to get the reps they need and do what they have to do to get ready for the season.
“After that, you want to see who loves to play, who's going to fly around and make plays. That’s a big part of it for the young guys. When the game starts, do they show up? Because some guys show up and some guys don’t.”
Following Friday’s walkthrough, Turner said he hasn’t made a definite decision on Tomlinson’s status.
“We're going to talk about it in the morning, get to the stadium and see where we're at,” Turner said.
He’s told the rest of his healthy starters to “prepare to play one half,” but that amount could vary from player to player depending on what Turner believes is best for certain individuals.
“The decisions we make really are based on what’s best for our football team to get guys ready to play on opening day,” Turner said. “This starter may need a little more time than that starter. Some young guys we may feel can help us if they come along so they may get a little more time than other young guys.”
Once the starters complete their work for the evening, the spotlight turns to a group of young players hoping to earn jobs. The team’s undrafted free agents and young players with practice squad experience hoping to crack a 53-man roster will receive their opportunity to make their mark, and the stakes are high when the bright lights come on.
“Everything we do on the practice field is getting them ready to play in the game and we’re going to evaluate how they play in the game,” Turner said of his young players.
Since training camp began, the rookies and young Chargers have essentially had 20 dress rehearsals for Saturday’s audition, and they understand the importance of turning in a good performance against Seattle.
“We’ve been doing this since the spring,” said defensive tackle
It’s a chance for the players making their NFL debut to show that they can swim on their own.
“You get a lot of chances in practice to get better with your coaches right there,” said wide receiver
Four ruled out
Turner said Friday that he’ll meet with the team’s medical staff Saturday morning and make final decisions on the status of several players, but he has already ruled four out for the preseason opener.
Linebacker
“There are some other guys we’re going to continue to treat this afternoon and evaluate in the morning,” Turner said.
Sproles returns
Running back
“It makes you think about it a lot, to bring somebody into the world,” Sproles said. “She's depending on you. It makes you feel good.”
Sproles named the baby girl Devyn Annette Sproles. The middle name is in honor of Darren’s late mother Annette, who lost a battle with cancer in 2004.
A different look
Most NFL teams don’t spend much time game planning for preseason contests, and the majority of their work during training camp is against their own offensive and defensive schemes. The Chargers spent time working against a 4-3 defensive front like the one Seattle runs and against the West Coast, spread-style offense Matt Hasselbeck orchestrates.
“Most of it is for our young guys,” Turner said. “Our offensive players haven’t played against their defensive front. Our defensive players haven’t played against their spread (offense). Most of that stuff was to give our young guys a chance to at least recognize the things they’re going to see Saturday night.”
