Gaither now doubtful for MNF

Turner: 'Hard to think' Gaither will play Monday

The Chargers' early-week optimism that Jared Gaither could play Monday night appears to have taken a drop.

Maybe Saturday's practice can change their mood.

Dealing with a groin injury, the left tackle has yet to practice this week, missing Friday's session. He'll have one last chance to hit the field Saturday before the Chargers host the Broncos.

On a normal preparation week, Friday is the final day of practice.

It essentially served as a Thursday with the game being played a day later.

Coach Norv Turner said it'll be good "if he can get out and move around (Saturday). Obviously, when a guy can't practice what, in my mind, is Wednesday and Thursday, it's hard to think that he's going to be ready to play."

Gaither strained his groin Sunday night against the Saints. He finished the game's final two plays, allowing pressure on both, as the injury clearly limited his mobility.

Signed in March to a lucrative contract, the 26-year-old missed the first three games of the season and nearly all of training camp with a back injury. If unable to play Monday night, undrafted rookie Michael Harris will start.

"Unfortunately, Jared's down right now," Harris said. "I know they're doing everything they can for him to be ready by Monday. I've just got to be ready. I'm getting these extra reps. Just going to use them and try to get better."

It's nothing new for Harris.

He started every preseason game in Gaither's place as well as the start of the season.

Arguably his best performance came in the opener against the Raiders.

In Week 2, Titans defensive end Kamerion Wimbley generated good pressure against him, and Harris was flagged for two holding calls. In Week 3, he struggled against Falcons defensive end John Abraham with the Chargers playing most of the game from behind.

Gaither then returned, and for Harris, things have slowed down since.

He appeared just once in a game seeing a snap at right tackle against the Chiefs. In practice, he's played on the scout team, giving the Chargers defense a look while improving his own technique.

The chance to stand back and watch Gaither the past two games, Harris said, has helped.

"It's been great," the 23-year-old said. "Just being able to watch him and seeing his technique, learning from the good things he does and his weaknesses. I'm checking everything as it develops. I know I'm still young, and I've got a lot more development. ...

"I feel like I'm a lot more mentally strong now. I'll do whatever it takes to be successful in this league."

This will be a disaster if he doesn't play, our offense will collapse against Miller and Doom with only Clary and Harris standing in their way.

Rivers is going to be scrambling, hope he keeps the picks in check!

I think that the terribleness is going to be a factor of Mathews' play this week while Gaither recovers from Sunday's injury. If Mathews is able to take the game in hand, then we'll be able to coast a bit and have our running game and defense dictate the game. On the other hand, if Rivers is doing 7 step drops to try to get the ball down the field quickly while coming from behind, we won't stand a chance against that pass rush.

I can agree with this. I can't & won't agree with the immediate reaction of "the sky is falling!" & "Norv is too dumb to compensate" attitudes.

The narrative rolls on with its own impetus, powered by some fact & more fiction.

That's got to be a big groin to heal up on such short notice?

I don't think that he can't compensate, I just think that he refuses to. I think that he has a particular offense that he prefers to run and that running other options, even if they fit his personnel better, is undesirable to him.

Please don't die Philip.

Hopefully Harris will step his game up a bit and show some improvement. we'll all know in a few hours.......

Official, Gaither inactive.