Was Norv Turner sending a message?

Even though he was listed first on the team's depth chart, outside linebacker Larry English was a surprise scratch for the San Diego Chargers Sunday in the team's season opener against Minnesota.

A report by Scott Bair in San Diego's North County Times said, "Turner said he (English) looked healthy. Turner also noted English looked as if he hadn't played for a long time."

That's true, to a point. The Marmion Academy and Northern Illinois graduate missed most of last season with a broken foot that required surgery. It didn't heal right and a second surgery was required this past spring. He spent most of the summer and part of the preseason rehabbing it, appeared in the team's second preseason game but then missed time later with what was thought to be a minor groin strain.

Hopefully, it's just a matter of a healthy English getting more practices in and returning to the field soon.