SAN DIEGO — The Chargers could face the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday without key cornerback Brandon Flowers.
Flowers didn’t practice on Friday with a groin injury, after being limited on Thursday.
Flowers’ availability could a game-time decision.
“I definitely want to go every week, but we’ll see,” said Flowers, who’s listed as questionable. “I’m preparing like I’m playing. If I’m not there, then I’m not there.”
Flowers was a key free-agent acquisition as the Chargers attempted to solidify their secondary.
They also drafted Jason Verrett in the first round, and Verrett could see more playing time if Flowers can’t go.
“We took (Verrett) where we did for a reason,” coach Mike McCoy said.
Flowers was slowed in training camp with a knee issue.
“We are going to play the healthiest 46 we got and we’re not going to make excuses,” McCoy said. “There are plenty of games you go into during the season where you might not have everybody.”
Flowers could help defend a diversified Seattle offence featuring wide receiver Percy Harvin’s speed on the jet-sweep running play. Harvin averaged 10.3 yards on four carries in last week’s Seahawks win over the Green Bay Packers.
“He’s tough,” Flowers said. “It’s like he mastered that in college when he was at Florida. It’s hard to even list him as a receiver the way he runs with the ball in his hand.
“He is definitely a playmaker. They get it to him quick on screens. They just try to give him the ball as quick as they can so he can make a move. He is definitely their sparkplug.”
The Chargers wanted Flowers to provide a similar role in their secondary. Flowers wasn’t pleased how the Arizona Cardinals rallied in Monday’s season-opening 18-17 win over San Diego.
“We had the lead going into the fourth (quarter) and we have to somehow sustain that,” Flowers said. “As a defensive player, I put it on the defence. If we don’t allow them to put up points they don’t win the game.”
In other injury news, defensive end Melvin Ingram (hamstring) was limited in practice and is questionable for Sunday. Defensive end Corey Liuget was limited and is probable. Safety Jahleel Addae (hamstring) and cornerback Chris Davis (ankle) are out.
