Tolbert accomplishes lofty goal

Mike Tolbert recalls a day from this summer in which he was hanging his head in exhaustion during a long practice when he received a little pick-me-up.

“LT patted me on the back and said, ‘You keep doing that and you’ll make this team and earn these guys’ respect,’” Tolbert recalls. “From the time he told me that I was like, ‘Let’s go.’”

Tomlinson patted Tolbert on the back several times throughout training camp, and the undrafted rookie from Coastal Carolina made LT’s words stand true. Tolbert started at fullback during all four preseason games won the starting job after beating out veteran Andrew Pinnock, who was released Monday.

“Mike has had a good training camp and a good preseason,” Tomlinson said. “Obviously the organization feels like he’s ready to step in there. I know us as players feel like he’s ready. It’s time for him to show what he has. He’s a good football player.”

Pinnock began training camp on the physically unable to perform list, and his early absence from practice allowed Tolbert to get on the field with the first-team offense and impress his coaches and teammates.

“Veterans always say, ‘Don’t let a guy take a lot of reps at your spot,’” Chargers Head Coach Norv Turner said. “All of the sudden you let someone get those reps and the next thing you know he looks pretty good. The next thing you know your reps aren’t there anymore. That’s probably more what happened.”

Roster moves

The Chargers added two veterans Monday by signing tight end Kris Wilson and guard Kynan Forney. Both players were on the field with the Bolts Monday, Wilson wearing number 88 and Forney number 67.

After Scott Chandler was placed on injured reserve this weekend, the Chargers were thin at tight end and Wilson fills that need.

“He’s an athletic guy that’s a very good receiver,” Turner said. “He blocks well on the edge. He’s experienced in this offense. Charlie Joiner coached him in Kansas City so we have a very strong familiarity with him there. We believe he can give us some depth at that position.”

In addition to releasing Pinnock, the Chargers placed center Cory Withrow on injured reserve Monday and added Forney. Forney played seven seasons in Atlanta and was a first alternate to the Pro Bowl in 2005. With a new coaching staff and change in offensive philosophy this season, the Falcons decided to go in another direction. The Bolts quickly swooped in.

“He’s very physical,” Turner said. “Our pro scouts had very good grades on him. Sometimes when (coaching) staffs change it isn’t included with the new regime. He’s a very physical, run-blocking right guard. We’re excited to add him.”

For the time being, Scott Mruczkowski will back up center Jeremy Newberry until Nick Hardwick returns to action. Forney will be the primary backup at both guard positions.

McNeill, Hardwick sit

The Chargers won’t issue an official injury report until Wednesday, but offensive tackle Marcus McNeill and Hardwick were the only two players that didn’t participate in at least a portion of practice Monday. McNeill did not play in the preseason after suffering a stinger in his neck and his status for Sunday’s opener is uncertain.

“We’re just seeing where he’s at on a day-to-day basis,” Turner said.

Defensive tackle Jamal Williams practiced and was seen running sprints on the side at the conclusion of drills. That was an encouraging sign to Turner, who expects the three-time Pro Bowler to be ready for Sunday.

Linebacker Shawne Merriman took about half the first-team reps during what Turner called a light practice.

Honoring Upshaw

The NFL announced Monday that all NFL players will wear a commemorative patch this season to honor Gene Upshaw, a Hall of Fame player and executive director of the NFL Players Association until his Aug. 20 death.

The patch will contain the letters “GU” and the number “63” (Upshaw’s uniform number with the Oakland Raiders) in white on a black background. It will be positioned on the left chest of players’ jerseys.

Eye on Gustav

The Chargers have four native Louisianans on their roster, all four of which are keeping their cell phones near and their eyes on the television.

Fullback Jacob Hester’s family is huddled in his hometown of Shreveport. The families of punter Mike Scifres and wide receiver Buster Davis, both natives of New Orleans, have fled the city, and the family of cornerback Cletis Gordon, who grew up approximately 50 miles north of New Orleans in Amite, headed to Dallas to get together with relatives.

“We’re all just watching and praying,” Gordon said. “It’s a hopeless feeling when you see it coming and can’t really do anything but leave.”

More moves

Wide receiver and punt returner Mark Jones, who spent the offseason with the Chargers, signed with Carolina Monday. Also, running back Marcus Thomas, the Bolts’ fifth-round draft pick, was claimed on waivers by the Detroit Lions. Defensive tackle Lamar Divens, another player who spent the summer with the Chargers, was claimed by Baltimore.

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