Chargers Sign Wells, Await Possible Blackout
As the San Diego Chargers prepare to host the Tennessee Titans this Sunday in their home opener, they added a player to their roster, topping off the team at 53 players.
The Chargers reported the signing of guard/tackle Reggie Wells. A 10-year veteran, the 6-foot-4, 318-pound offensive lineman has played in 117 career games, starting in 91 of them.
Originally a sixth-round selection by the Arizona Cardinals, Wells played his first seven years with the Cardinals before a 2010 trade sent him to the Philadelphia Eagles. In 2011, Wells suited up for the Carolina Panthers. During this latest training camp, Wells was with the Green Bay Packers.
This most recent signing comes in the wake of the unknown verdict on starting left tackle Jared Gaither, out since late July with a back injury.
Meanwhile, the Chargers have not announced as of Wednesday whether or not starting running back Ryan Mathews will see action Sunday against the Titans. Mathews, injured on his first carry in the preseason opener against Green Bay, underwent surgery last month to repair a broken clavicle. He missed this past Monday's season-opening 22-14 win over Oakland.
According to San Diego head coach Norv Turner, Mathews has still not been cleared for contact. At the time of his injury on Aug. 9, it was announced Mathews would be out of action anywhere from four to six weeks.
The prognosis for wide receiver Vincent Brown continues to be that he likely will not see action until sometime next month. Brown was injured in the Aug. 18 preseason win over Dallas, breaking his left ankle on a touchdown pass in the end zone. Brown had surgery on the ankle shortly after the injury.
Lastly, remember the 2011 season when it seemed most home games other than the big divisional rivalries had the potential to be blacked out? Well, it didn't take the NFL and the Chargers long to announce that this Sunday's home opener with Tennessee may not be seen in San Diego, Orange County, and the greater Los Angeles area.
Reports indicate that Chargers' management decided not to decrease the minimum number of tickets that must be sold to miss a blackout.
The Chargers have put much into marketing their home opener, including the facts that they will retire the number of late linebacker Junior Seau, and the team will also be dressed in all white uniforms, making for a "White Hot Sunday" promotion for both players and fans.
In the event the Chargers fail to sell remaining non-premium tickets by 1:25 p.m. PT on Thursday, the game will reportedly be blacked out.
During the 2011 campaign, the Chargers had home contests versus Arizona and Miami blacked out. With another non-divisional opponent coming to town next weekend in the Atlanta Falcons, the Chargers could be staring at potential back-to-back blackout situations.
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Dave Thomas is a freelance writer covering all things Chargers. His work can be found on Examiner.com.
