The Sports Xchange

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — — As safety Eric Weddle continues to skip the voluntary workouts, including this week’s round that ended Wednesay, the reason for an impasse in his contract status is becoming obvious.

Weddle, an All-Pro and a four-time defensive captain, is upset because the team won’t offer him a contract extension. After general manager Tom Telesco said earlier this year that his extension would be addressed at the appropriate time, it appears that Weddle must wait his turn.

The Chargers’ priorities in contract negotiations start with quarterback Philip Rivers and defensive tackle Corey Liuget, who they want on long term deals.

Liuget led the Chargers last year with 4.5 sacks on a team that totaled a franchise low 26.

That aspect of the game received no help in the draft. The Chargers are still waiting for outside linebacker Melvin Ingraham, their No. 1 pick in 2012, to play up to expectations, or at least stay healthy.

Ingraham had four sacks last year, but the real story is he can’t stay on the field with knee and hip injuries.

Ingram seems to get the message. He showed up at the OTAs some 20 pounds lighter than last year. He always flashed his talent but what the Chargers are hoping is that he becomes more consistent.

“He was the No. 1 draft pick here for a reason,” Telesco said. “I can see why they took him.”

Igraham and Liuget are more on the spot to produce this year after Dwight Freeney wasn’t invited back and Jarret Johnson retired.

— Among the reasons the Chargers drafted inside linebacker Denzel Perryman in the second round was his athletic ability. But a strained hamstring kept him out of the OTA drills.

So when video surfaced this week of Perryman playing in a charity Dodgeball event, with his twisting and turning and leaping in the air to avoid the ball, it didn’t go over so very will the Chargers’ brass. Permian was informed that if he can’t practice, he shouldn’t be playing Dodgeball.

–Inside linebacker Donald Butler knows what everybody else does: he was having a dreadful last season before missing the last two games with an elbow injury. “Last year was disappointing,” he said. “I’m healthy again and focusing in on 2015.”

— New Charger Joe Barksdale, a starting offensive lineman with the Rams last year, is getting work at right tackle behind D.J. Fluker. . . . . Chris Watt, in his second year, is playing with the first team at center. Watt was a Guard at Notre Dame. Watt was a quick study in the middle last year when the Chargers went through five starting centers because of injuries. Barring the unforeseen, Watt will replace retired Pro Bowl center Nick Hardwick.