Walters Likely to Start; Watts Is Released by Chargers

SAN DIEGO — Cornerback Danny Walters practiced Thursday and probably will start Sunday’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals, but his good friend Ted Watts, the former Super Bowl cornerback for the Raiders, was waived.

Watts’ release leaves the Chargers with an open roster spot, which will be filled when linebacker Thomas Benson is activated this weekend. But the Chargers also are planning to give a tryout to defensive back Elvis Patterson--recently waived by the New York Giants--and if he is signed, another player will have to be cut.

Patterson is expected to be brought in today or Saturday, according to Steve Ortmayer, Charger director of football operations.

Ortmayer also said that Walters, who was arrested Monday for driving under the influence of alcohol and for possession of rock cocaine, has been cleared by team doctor E. Lee Rice to play in Sunday’s game. Rice is treating Walters on an outpatient basis, and Ortmayer said Walters is undergoing frequent drug tests.

Walters refused to discuss his arrest.

“Maybe next week I can say something,” he said. “But not right now.”

He practiced for the first time since the arrest and said he felt fine until he had to run wind sprints.

“I’m a little tired,” he said. “The two days off didn’t help me.”

Watts, Walters’ roommate during training camp, had been working as the Chargers’ backup strong safety, but he became expendable with Wednesday’s signing of veteran cornerback Charles Romes. Romes gives the Chargers an extra cornerback, which means starting cornerback Gill Byrd can play strong safety if starter Martin Bayless gets hurt.

Watts was unavailable for comment Thursday.

Ortmayer said Patterson is attractive because he excels on special teams. Ortmayer said he wants more speed on kick coverage.

Certainly, all this coming and going lends little stability to the Chargers’ secondary. Nickel back Daniel Hunter has impressed Coach Al Saunders and will start at right cornerback if Walters doesn’t, but Saunders isn’t exactly praising rookie Lou Brock, the No. 2 draft choice out of USC.

“When Lou was drafted,” Saunders said, “he was evaluated as an outstanding corner, and we envisioned him as a nickel corner with cover ability. But he weighs 158 pounds right now, and his run force ability is probably not at the level of a Daniel Hunter. And his experience level is not where Daniel Hunter’s is.

“And (Brock) playing corner against a team like we’re gonna play this week, against a player like Roy Green . . . I mean, putting a young rookie out there and starting him at the corner spot against one of the fastest and better wide receivers in the NFL is probably not in the best interest of the team.