Chargers release 11

Sunday, Aug 28, 2005
By Casey Pearce, Chargers.com

The Chargers don’t have to have their active roster trimmed to 65 players until Tuesday afternoon, but the Bolts got a head start on cuts Sunday.  Head Coach Marty Schottenheimer announced that the team has released 11 players.

Dingle is perhaps the biggest surprise of the group.  A fifth-round draft pick of the Chargers in 1999, the former Clemson Tiger was entering his seventh season in San Diego.  Two seasons ago, he recorded a career-high 37 tackles and six sacks.

“When you look back over the past couple of years, we’ve added a number of players along the defensive line,” Schottenheimer said.  “We’ve got a couple of young free agents that have made contributions to this point.  Adrian has been a terrific guy for us.  He’s struggled with some medical issues of late, but he was a treat to have around here.  We wish him the best.”

The Chargers must cut three more players by 1 p.m. Tuesday.

When the Bolts return to the practice field this afternoon for their final week of the preseason, they’ll do so without rookie linebacker Shawne Merriman.  An MRI revealed that Merriman suffered a sprained Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) in his knee during the Chargers’ loss at Minnesota Friday night.  He’ll miss a minimum of two weeks.   

Offensive tackle Courtney VanBuren also aggravated a knee injury that has hampered him throughout camp.  His status is uncertain. 

Fortunately, Schottenheimer hopes to get handful of men back on the field this week.  Rookie defensive end Luis Castillo (foot) is expected to be at full speed, as are ends Jacques Cesaire (hamstring) and DeQuincy Scott (thigh).

Wide receiver Malcom Floyd (calf), tight end Ryan Krause (foot), and wide receiver Vincent Jackson (Achilles) are questionable for Thursday’s preseason finale against the San Francisco 49ers.