San Diego Chargers

Chargers DB Paul Oliver grabbed his first interception of the season on Thursday night against the Raiders. He finished the game with seven tackles, five solo, in San Diego's 24-17 loss.

Chargers TE Kory Sperry left Sunday's game versus the Broncos with a rib injury. He was not targeted in the game. San Diego would lose the contest, 16-13.

The Chargers have signed safety Darrell Stuckey to four-year contract. His presence allowed the Chargers to release troubled safety Kevin Ellison this week. Stuckey had 190 tackles in his final two seasons at Kansas.

Chargers LB Na'il Diggs left Saturday's game during the fourth quarter with what was described as a "cramping situation." He did not return. He left the game with a season-high seven tackles as the Chargers would lose 38-10 to the Lions.

San Diego LB Bront Bird was placed on season-ending injured reserve on Wednesday. Bird's season is now over.

Undisclosed - IR. Out for the season

Notable cuts by the Chargers on Saturday include: LB Kevin Bentley, DB Quinton Teal, LB Bront Bird, DE Mike Blanc, RB Curtis Brinkley, CB Ramon Broadway, DE Charlie Bryant, TE Charles Davis, DE Carl Ihenacho, DE Ogemdi Nwagbuo, RB Isaac Odim, RB Dean Rogers, CB Traye Simmons, FB Frank Summers, TE Brad Taylor, QB Scott Tolzien and LB Kion Wilson.

Chargers TE Antonio Gates went over the century mark for the first time this season in Week 17 against the Raiders. He caught five passes for 106 yards with a touchdown in the 38-26 win. He caught a 38-yard scoring strike from QB Philip Rivers in the first quarter, giving him seven touchdowns on the year. Gates, who averaged 21.2 yards per grab, finished second on San Diego in receiving behind WR Malcom Floyd (127 yards).

San Diego DL Cam Thomas recorded a sack on Monday Night Football Week 13 in Jacksonville. Thomas helped the Chargers win the game as he took down Jaguars QB Blaine Gabbert. Thomas finished the game with two tackles.

Chargers WR Richard Goodman (toe) was placed on the practice-squad injured list on Wednesday. The team re-signed WR Bryan Walters to the practice squad.

Chargers DL Corey Liuget recorded two solo tackles and one pass defensed against Buffalo in Week 14. Liuget has played in 12 games and has 10 starts, but it was only his second multiple solo-tackle game (Week 12, two solo). “I think he is a guy that is consistently improving,” coach Norv Turner said Monday. Liuget still has not recorded a sack.

The Chargers announced Friday that they agreed to a two-year contract with pass-rushing LB Travis LaBoy. “Travis is an outstanding player. He brings experience and production to the position,” General Manager A.J. Smith said in an official release. “He is a relentless pass rusher and great competitor. It’s very exciting to add Travis to our pass rushing corps.” LaBoy has averaged about five sacks per season since he was drafted in 2004.

Knee - Missed Week 17 at Oakland

The Chargers were able to sign a host of picks from April's NFL Draft on Wednesday. Among them was former Mizzou LB Andrew Gachkar, who was selected in the seventh round. Gachkar's four-year deal was signed just before camp began.

The Chargers signed LB Everette Brown to a two-year contract the team announced on Tuesday. To make room for him on the roster, the team released DL Ogemdi Nwagbuo.

San Diego LB Takeo Spikes made an impact in Week 15 versus Baltimore. He made four tackles, two solo, in the contest. The veteran also recorded his first interception of the season and returned it 45 yards in his team's 34-14 win.

Chargers WR Malcom Floyd saved his finest performance of the season for Week 17 against the Raiders. He caught seven passes for 127 yards with a touchdown in the 38-26 win. He scored his fifth touchdown on the year in the fourth quarter when QB Philip Rivers found him from 43 yards out. He was targeted a team-high nine times in the contest and averaged 18.1 yards per grab. Floyd led San Diego in receiving in the victory.

Chargers DL Vaughn Martin recorded the first sack of his young career in Week 11 against the Broncos. He brought down QB Kyle Orton and finished with two tackles in the 35-14 win.

The San Diego Union-Tribune reports Chargers DL Luis Castillo, who hasn't played since fracturing his leg in the season opener, was placed on IR on Wednesday.

Tibia - IR. Out for the season

San Diego DB Marcus Gilchrist sealed Sunday's win with an interception of backup QB Tyler Thigpen. He returned it 21 yards before falling to the ground. The Chargers went on to win the game, 37-10. He did not record a tackle in the contest.

San Diego WR Patrick Crayton had a 26-yard catch-and-run in the fourth quarter on Sunday against the Bills. That play was good for his first score of the year. Crayton was targeted three times on the day by Philip Rivers, catching all three passes for 37 yards. The Chargers would win the game, 37-10.

Notable cuts by the Chargers on Saturday include: LB Kevin Bentley, DB Quinton Teal, LB Bront Bird, DE Mike Blanc, RB Curtis Brinkley, CB Ramon Broadway, DE Charlie Bryant, TE Charles Davis, DE Carl Ihenacho, DE Ogemdi Nwagbuo, RB Isaac Odim, RB Dean Rogers, CB Traye Simmons, FB Frank Summers, TE Brad Taylor, QB Scott Tolzien and LB Kion Wilson.

Chargers DB Steve Gregory picked off Bills QB Ryan Fitzpatrick and returned it 26 yards for a touchdown. He also led his team with seven solo tackles in the 37-10 win.

The Chargers placed LB Larry English (foot) on injured reserve Wednesday.

Foot - IR. Out for the season

Chargers DB Antoine Cason intercepted Jay Cutler in Week 11 and returned the ball 64 yards. He finished the game with four tackles, three solo, in San Diego's 31-20 loss to Chicago.

The San Diego Chargers have signed defensive tackle Alfonso Boone to help fill the void left when Jamal Williams was lost for the season with a triceps injury. Boone spent the last two seasons with the AFC West rival Kansas City Chiefs. He was released in the final roster cutdown. The Chargers released defensive end Andre Coleman to make room on the roster.

The Jets waived the following players Saturday: TE Josh Baker, LB Matthias Berning, WR Michael Campbell, WR Dan DePalma, DT Jarron Gilbert, RB Chris Jennings, LB Eddie Jones, S Byron Landor, CB Ellis Lankster, LB Joey LaRocque, WR Scotty McKnight, S Davon Morgan, CB Julian Posey, LB Brashton Satele, WR Patrick Turner, DE Lorenzo Washington, QB Drew Willy, S Tracy Wilson and TE Keith Zinger.

Chargers LB Antwan Barnes was ejected in the first quarter of Week 17 against the Raiders. He was called for unsportsmanlike conduct after making a tackle on WR Louis Murphy and was tossed after making contact with an official. “I don’t know what got him upset," coach Norv Turner said. "I know this -- everyone who has ever played in this league knows that if an official is shoving you back and you knock his arm back, you make contact with the official, you’re going to get thrown out of the game.”

Chargers LB Shaun Phillips did a little bit of everything in Week 15 versus the Ravens. He tallied six tackles, four solo, and was credited with 1/2 a sack. Phillips also made his second interception of the season. San Diego would win the game, 34-14.

Chargers LB Donald Butler, who played through a foot injury that had him listed as probable for the Week 16 matchup with the Lions, had three tackles and a sack in the 38-10 loss.

Notable cuts by the Chargers on Saturday include: LB Kevin Bentley, DB Quinton Teal, LB Bront Bird, DE Mike Blanc, RB Curtis Brinkley, CB Ramon Broadway, DE Charlie Bryant, TE Charles Davis, DE Carl Ihenacho, DE Ogemdi Nwagbuo, RB Isaac Odim, RB Dean Rogers, CB Traye Simmons, FB Frank Summers, TE Brad Taylor, QB Scott Tolzien and LB Kion Wilson.

Chargers K Nick Novak converted most of his chances in Week 17 against the Raiders. He made 1 of 2 field goals and all five of his extra points in the 38-26 win. He made a 51-yarder in the second quarter before missing one from 44 yards in the fourth quarter.

Chargers DB Eric Weddle played in his final game of the 2011 season in Week 17 against the Raiders. He finished with five tackles and also broke up a touchdown in the 38-26 win. Weddle finished with year with 71 tackles and a career-high seven interceptions.

The Chargers announced Tuesday that head coach Norv Turner will return to the team in 2012. That means the offense currently run by the Chargers will remain the same, a big plus for quarterback Philip Rivers.

San Diego TE Randy McMichael caught the only pass thrown his way on Sunday against Buffalo. That lone grab was good for 17 yards though and set up a touchdown for his team. The Chargers would win the game, 37-10.

According to NFL.com, the Chargers will make a big push to sign impending free agent WR Vincent Jackson. Jackson has maintained his preference is to stay in San Diego despite a relationship with the front office that has been acrimonious in the past. The Chargers aren’t expected to use the franchise tag on Jackson and sound open to trying to work out a long-term deal. But the Chargers likely won't be the highest bidder for Jackson, and he could land with a new team. Jackson earned $11.4 million during the 2011 season under the franchise tag, a figure that is expected to increase to $13.7 million this offseason. The report said Jackson could exceed $10 million per season over five seasons.

Chargers RB Jacob Hester was able to find the end zone for the first time this season in Week 10 against the Raiders. Hester was on the receiving end of a 7-yard strike from Philip Rivers in the fourth quarter. He also gained a yard rushing on one carry in the 24-17 defeat.

San Diego and backup QB Billy Volek agreed to a two-year contract Saturday, bringing the veteran back for sixth season with the club. He hasn't started a game with San Diego, but started 10 games for Tennessee from 2003-05 and has a career passer rating of 84.9.

In addition to first-round pick DT Corey Liuget, the Chargers selected two cornerbacks and two linebackers in April's draft. The team picked up Clemson CB Marcus Gilchrist (Round 2), Michigan LB Jonas Mouton (Round 2), USC CB Shareece Wright (Round 3) and Mizzou LB Andrew Gachkar (Round 7).

Chargers LB Stephen Cooper (bicep) was placed on the season-ending IR list on Tuesday, according to the Chargers’ media relations director. Linebacker Gerald Hayes, an eight year veteran (2003-2010, Cardinals), was signed in his place. Hayes was at the team’s facility on Tuesday. Cooper tore his right bicep muscle from the bone against the Cowboys in the second preseason game.

Bicep - IR. Out for the season

New team, same old story for DB Bob Sanders. The Chargers placed Sanders on IR on Wednesday with a knee injury. "All we wished for Bob was good health and hoped to turn him loose to do his thing, which was being one great, physical, highly-competitive player. It didn’t work out for him or us, and we wish him the very best," GM A.J. Smith said.

Knee - IR. Out for the season

It didn't take long for San Diego K Nate Kaeding to suffer an injury this past season. After all, he tore his ACL while attempting to make a tackle on the first kickoff of the year. Now, Kaeding, who was placed on injured reserve after Week 1, is expected to begin kicking by the end of January. "I’m confident this thing will heal up. I’m ahead of schedule if anything," Kaeding said. "I’ll pick up where I left off. ... It’s given me a little different perspective on the game certainly and it’s without a doubt rejuvenated me."

Knee - IR. Out for the season

San Diego signed LB Nate Triplett on Wednesday. He was waived by the Colts back in October.

Chargers DB Dante Hughes had his best game of the season, by far. He had just two tackles coming into the Week 12 game against the Colts. On the night, he was able to rack up eight tackles -- five solo -- and he even got a hit on QB Peyton Manning.

With both Mike Tolbert and Ryan Mathews both healthy, Chargers RB Curtis Brinkley has once again been reduced to the role of spectator. Brinkley, who has racked up 67 total yards and a touchdown thus far, has not seen the field since back in Week 8. San Diego will face the Bears in Week 11.

San Diego placed rookie LB Jonas Mouton on injured reserve Wednesday with a shoulder injury and ending his first NFL season. To take his roster spot, the Chargers signed safety Paul Oliver to a one-year contract.

Shoulder - IR. Out for the season

The Chargers official team website reports that impending free agent RB Mike Tolbert would like to remain in San Diego in 2012. “I would love to be here, but I’ve got to weigh my options and do what’s best for my family,” Tolbert said.

Chargers DB Nick Polk (hand) and DE Damik Scafe (leg) were placed on IR on Saturday.

Hand - IR. Out for the season

The Chargers signed LS Mike Windt on Wednesday.

Chargers DL Antonio Garay registered his second sack of the season in Week 9 against the Packers. He finished with six tackles -- three solo -- in the 45-38 win and was also credited with a quarterback hit.

Chargers DL Jacques Cesaire left Sunday's game versus the Bills in the second quarter with a leg injury. He had to be carted off the field. Cesaire failed to make a tackle before leaving.

Chargers DB Nick Polk (hand) and DE Damik Scafe (leg) were placed on IR on Saturday.

Chargers RB Ryan Mathews was listed among the inactives for Week 17 against the Raiders. He missed two sessions of practice leading up to Sunday due to a lingering calf injury. Mike Tolbert got the start in his place.

Calf - Missed Week 17 at Oakland

San Diego promoted LB Darryl Gamble from its practice squad on Tuesday. The Chargers had been carrying a vacant spot on their roster the previous couple weeks.

Notable cuts by the Chargers on Saturday include: LB Kevin Bentley, DB Quinton Teal, LB Bront Bird, DE Mike Blanc, RB Curtis Brinkley, CB Ramon Broadway, DE Charlie Bryant, TE Charles Davis, DE Carl Ihenacho, DE Ogemdi Nwagbuo, RB Isaac Odim, RB Dean Rogers, CB Traye Simmons, FB Frank Summers, TE Brad Taylor, QB Scott Tolzien and LB Kion Wilson.

Chargers DL Tommie Harris only made one tackle in the Monday night victory in Jacksonville Week 13. That tackle Harris recorded was a sack of Jaguars QB Blaine Gabbert.

The Chargers announced on Wednesday that they have signed RB Shawnbrey McNeal to a two-year contract. Financial figures from the deal were not released. McNeal was on the Chargers roster and then on the Falcons practice squad in 2010.

WR Gary Banks, who was waived on Monday by the Chargers, has been placed on the team's practice squad. WR Kole Heckendorf was released from the practice quad to make room for Banks.

San Diego added WR Bryan Walters to the active roster on Friday. They placed OL Scott Mruczkowski on IR with a concussion, which freed up a spot.

Chargers WR Vincent Brown had the best performance of his career when he faced the Raiders earlier in the year and will be looking for similar success in Week 17. He caught five passes for 97 yards and a touchdown against the division foe in Week 10. Oakland ranks 25th in the league in pass defense, giving up over 247 yards per game, and has allowed an average of 24.5 Fantasy points to opposing wideouts.

CB Quentin Jammer told a San Diego radio station some off-the-field issues clouded his play this season. Jammer seemed to get beat more regularly, especially late in the year. Jammer, who'll be in his 11th season next year, said according to The Sports Xchange that he'll use his subpar play as motivation to return better in 2012.