The Sports Xchange

SAN DIEGO – Quarterback Philip Rivers saw a familiar face in the locker room and couldn’t hold back his happiness.

“It was almost like seeing him again after an offseason,” Rivers said of tight end Antonio Gates.

Gates was back with the Chargers on Monday after serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drugs policy.

–Inside linebacker Manti Te’o wasn’t impressed with his game-high 13 tackles on Sunday. “I missed two; those are the only tackles that I’m concerned about right now,” Te’o said. “I missed two crucial ones that were (tackles for losses), so I definitely got to get better.”

–Wide receiver Dontrelle Inman made the most of his chance, filling in for the injured Malcom Floyd. Inman had a game-long reception of 68 yards, one yard shy of a touchdown. “I want it so bad,” Inman said. “I heard the crowd and my teammates on the sidelines, but we scored anyway. I am not a selfish player, so it’s all good.”

–Left guard Orlando Franklin (ankle) didn’t play on Sunday against the Browns and could be down another week.

–Center Chris Watt (groin) didn’t play against Cleveland after not practicing all of last week.

–Cornerback Jason Verrett (foot) missed his second straight game.

–Cornerback Brandon Flowers (concussion) and will be monitored during the week.

–Left tackle King Dunlap (concussion) didn’t play against the Browns.

–Right guard D.J. Fluker (ankle) played on basically one leg the entire game against Cleveland.

–Cornerback Craig Mager (hamstring) didn’t play against the Browns.

–Left tackle Chris Hairston was solid against Cleveland in place of King Dunlap.

–Strong safety Jahleel Addae (ankle) wasn’t able to play for the second straight week.

–Wide receiver Malcom Floyd (concussion) will be monitored this week.

–Wide receiver Stevie Johnson (hamstring) could be down for Monday’s game against Pittsburgh.