Originally published Saturday, January 19, 2008 at 12:00 AM
PrintAFC Championship | Rivers positive he'll play Sunday
Mouthy to a fault, quarterback Philip Rivers made a pronouncement Friday that pleased the San Diego Chargers: He's optimistic about playing...
Sunday
AFC: San Diego at New England, noon, Ch. 7
NFC: N.Y. Giants at Green Bay, 3:30 p.m., Ch. 13
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Mouthy to a fault, quarterback Philip Rivers made a pronouncement Friday that pleased the San Diego Chargers: He's optimistic about playing in the AFC Championship Game.
Rivers returned to the practice field, encouraged his sprained right knee would heal enough for him to go Sunday against the New England Patriots.
Chargers coach Norv Turner took a more cautious approach. He listed Rivers as doubtful and said it would be a gametime decision.
"We want him to be able to move well enough to protect himself," Turner said.
Rivers handled about one-third of the snaps in practice. He was hurt last weekend in the 28-24 playoff upset of the defending Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts, and backup Billy Volek led the winning touchdown drive.
"The way I felt Monday morning, I didn't think I'd feel as good as I do right now," Rivers said. "Certainly, it can ease my mind a bit."
Already a two-touchdown underdog against the perfect Patriots, the Chargers are awfully banged up. Star running back LaDainian Tomlinson said he thought his hyperextended left knee would be OK for him to start, but tight end Antonio Gates was put in the doubtful category.
Patriots linebacker Mike Vrabel said preparations were about the same for Rivers or Volek.
"You're not looking at Tom Brady and Vince Young different," he said. "More similar than dissimilar."
Coach Bill Belichick said San Diego's injury problems were of little concern to him.
"We get ready for all 53 players every week," he said. "We don't have any control over that."
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
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