CHARGERS UPDATE : NOTEBOOK / T.J. SIMERS : Bernstine Returns to Roster, Eager to Test Repaired Shoulder

SAN DIEGO ā€”  The Chargers placed running back Peter Tuipulotu on injured reserve Friday to make room on their roster for running back Rod Bernstine.

Bernstine, who underwent shoulder surgery Oct. 19, has practiced without a problem this week. He said he remains ā€œanxiousā€ at the prospect of taking a hit on his repaired shoulder, but he said he came out of a collision with a defensive back in practice this week feeling no pain.

ā€œI just got to get a real hit now; no buddy-buddy thing,ā€ Bernstine said. ā€œIā€™m going to carry the ball. . . . I would assume weā€™ll go back to our rotation, a couple of drives and then Iā€™ll go in.ā€

Bernstine added, ā€œI would say Iā€™m not 100%, but Iā€™m above 75%. You wonā€™t see me going in there 100% trying to plow someone; I always put a few moves on now, Iā€™m not Marion (Butts).ā€

Butts will start, and Bernstine will beef up his shoulder pads and await his opportunity.

ā€œBernstine worked full speed in practice,ā€ Coach Bobby Ross said. ā€œIā€™d want him to have some playing time before we got on the goal line; I wouldnā€™t want his first play to be on the goal line.ā€

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The Chargers will release a player today and add cornerback Tony Blaylock to the roster. Ross said he has watched Blaylock practice throughout the week, and ā€œI feel like weā€™re fine with whoever we start there.ā€

Blaylock opened the season as the Chargersā€™ starting cornerback, and when he went down with an ankle injury, Sean Vanhorse replaced him.

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Starting safety Stanley Richard injured an upper leg and was held out of the remainder of practice Friday. Ross said there was no swelling and he said he did not think it would be a major problem.

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Defensive end Burt Grossman, who has been bothered by a sore ankle, has worked this week. However, Ross said he may be used only in emergency situations or in specific situations.

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The Bengals (4-9) come to San Diego with former Charger defensive coordinator Ron Lynn in charge of their defense.

ā€œI always thought very highly of Ron when he was here,ā€ said Charger guard David Richards. ā€œBut I donā€™t agree with his defensive philosophy at all.

ā€œIā€™m not the high-risk, chancy type of player. His defenses blitz a lot, and they make good plays, but they also give up the big plays.

ā€œIn ā€˜89, nobody was complaining about his defense, and heā€™s a smart guy, but thatā€™s just not the way I would do it.ā€

In 1989 the Chargersā€™ defense ranked sixth in the NFL; in 1990 it ranked fifth. This year the Bengalsā€™ defense ranks 27th.