Philip Rivers Insists He's Healthy

Norv Turner assures scuffling QB is OK

Philip Rivers hasn't been playing his best football.

The San Diego Chargers quarterback said Wednesday it is not because he is injured, despite outside speculation of the contrary.

"I'm as healthy as I've been through six weeks," said Rivers, whose nine interceptions are tied for second-most in the league. "I'm doing the best I can to lead a 4-2 team."

Rivers' interception total has never dwarfed his touchdown total — seven — this late into a season.

He has an 82.3 quarterback rating, on pace for his lowest in six seasons as a full-time starter. He has also completed 64.7 percent of his passes and averaged 7.9 yards per attempt, both the lowest since 2007.

If Rivers' comment is some grand cover-up, head coach Norv Turner is in on it, too.

"Philip's completely healthy," Turner said. "No, he's fine. Obviously, we don't want to turn the ball over, and that's one of the things we're working hard on. It is an entire team thing. It's a combination of getting the best plays in, and it's a combination of making good decisions, and it's a combination of catching the ball and running the routes right so we're all on the same page."

Matt Williamson of ESPN Scouts, Inc. has been among those to suggest that Rivers isn't right.

"I think he's injured," Williamson said Monday on ESPN Football Today podcast, "and we don't know it because his (throwing) motion's so quirky anyways. It's just not coming out of his hand the same ... It's certainly something to be worried about."

Phillips Making Progress
Outside linebacker Shaun Phillips was in a walking boot Monday in the Chargers locker room.

He had the boot again Wednesday, only this time he was carrying it.

Turner said he believes the team's top pass rusher "will be fine" for Monday night's game against the Kansas City Chiefs. He added that outside linebacker Darryl Gamble will be asked to step up in place of Larry English, who was placed on injured reserve earlier in the day.

Tolbert Upbeat
After missing Wednesday's practice, Mike Tolbert was positive toward his chances of returning to the field this week.

He injured his left hamstring Sunday.

"I'm feeling good," Tolbert said, "so hopefully they give me the go-ahead to come out and try to give it a go and see how I feel."

The team did not release an official participation report with the extra day of work leading up to the Monday game; however, Antonio Gates, Vincent Jackson were among those particpating.

Malcom Floyd, Marcus McNeill, Kris Dielman and Phillips were not.

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