GM A.J. Smith must have jumped the gun when the San Diego Chargers said they would tender running back Darren Sproles for the coming season. The Chargers announced today that in fact they were going to put a 1st and third round tender on Sproles for next season. It is unlikely any other team in the NFL will be able to sign the 26-year-old with the tender. Sproles will make around $7.27 million next season, a hefty price tag for a player that’s never rushed for more than 343 yards in a season. The six-year pro is a duel threat out of the back field catching 45 balls and scoring eight touchdowns in total in 2009. Prior to the Chargers tender offer, Sproles was thought to be in talks with a number of teams.

San Diego Chargers were on the receiving end of some good news about their AFC Championship game against the New England Patriots when their prized running back LaDainian Tomlinson returned to practice.. The Chargers came out victorious in their game against

Tomlinson’s return was a huge boost to Norv Turner. Fellow teammate and quarterback Phillip Rivers suffered a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee. The quarterback is deperately anxious to return for their game against the undefeated Patriots, but his status for the game is questionable. Star tight end Antonio Gates did not practice for an entire week before the recent game against the Colts, and may do the same for the Patriots game. Quarterback Billy Volek could be handed his first start since 2005 after a promising performance by against the Colts .