SAN DIEGO (AP) -Linebacker Shawne Merriman continued his progress Saturday and appears set to start Monday night when the AFC West champion San Diego Chargers host the Denver Broncos.
“I did pretty much everything and I’ve been doing pretty much everything the whole week, Merriman said after practice. “I feel good, I’m moving around good and I’m expecting to play.”
Merriman sat out last week’s win over the Lions to rest his sprained left knee. Merriman said he was out of sorts watching instead of playing.
“It drove me nuts,” said Merriman, who was recently named to his third Pro Bowl. “I didn’t know what to do. But hopefully I won’t be sitting this week because I’ve been practicing all week.”
Merriman’s one concession to his injury will be a knee brace.
“Sometimes it hampers my change of direct and it prevents me from doing certain things,” said Merriman, who has a team-high 11 1/2 sacks. “But I’ll be good.”
Defensive end Luis Castillo (ankle) is also trying to get back on the field. He’s been out since early November and has been shooting for Monday night for his return.
“I honestly have no idea,” Castillo said about suiting up.
Coach Norv Turner said Castillo and running back Michael Turner (shoulder) will likely be game-day decisions. Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jamal Williams (ankle) was added to the injury report on Saturday and is listed as questionable.
Quarterback Philip Rivers (knee) remains on track to start, although like Merriman, he will likely wear a protective brace.
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