Shaun

Phillips

You should officially be looking for other options if you were planning to start the Chargers defense this week. San Diego’s team leader in sacks with three, Phillips isn’t a particularly good bet to return in Week 9 after failing to take the practice field this week.

Coach Norv Turner conceded he’s “not real hopeful” Phillips would be available. The Chargers just lost Larry English to a year-ending foot injury, so they’re going to struggle for pass rush against the Chiefs. It’s good news for Matt Cassel and Dwayne Bowe, and bad news for owners of San Diego’s fantasy defense. The latter is now essentially off the fantasy radar.

Coach Norv Turner is “hopeful” that Phillips can return to practice soon. A surging Antwan Barnes will likely make at least one more start in Phillips’ stead.

The Chargers had been targeting Week 11 for Phillips to rejoin the lineup, but it appears that was overly optimistic. In Phillips’ absence, Antwan Barnes has been starting opposite Travis LaBoy. Barnes has more than picked up the slack with four sacks and a forced fumble in his last three games.

Phillips could play Sunday depending on his participation in Friday’s practice. “I think, not having played, he might be able to play in some of our nickel packages or something like that,” coach Norv Turner said. “So we just might try to get some plays out of him -- if he’s able to go 15, 20 plays.”

Phillips played in 84.9 percent of the defensive snaps in his 12 games in 2011. The San Diego coaching staff is taking a different approach with their pass rush in 2012, limiting some players’ snaps in order to keep guys fresh. Phillips responded well last Monday night by abusing Oakland’s Khalif Barnes for two sacks. The Chargers upgraded their outside linebacker position in the offseason by adding first-round pick Melvin Ingram and free agent Jarret Johnson to the rotation with Phillips, Antwan Barnes, and Larry English.

Phillips was tended to by San Diego trainers late in the fourth quarter but walked off under his own power. With the Chargers up comfortably, they may keep him out for the rest of the contest.

Phillips, 32 in May, has spent his entire nine-year career with the Chargers, but San Diego has minimal cap space at the moment, and Phillips is one of eight starters that are free agents. Phillips has 69.5 career sacks. The Browns and Cardinals have been mentioned as potential suitors. The Bolts have Jarret Johnson, Melvin Ingram, and Larry English at the outside ‘backer spots.

Phillips, who turns 32 in May, registered 9.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in 2012 as a 16-game starter in San Diego. The career Charger could add some pass-rushing juice to Arizona’s outside linebacker corps, rotating in with Sam Acho and O’Brien Schofield. The Cards have been short on depth at the position.

Phillips registered 9.5 sacks and two forced fumbles as a 16-game starter in 2012, and has played the last six seasons under Browns OC Norv Turner. With Cleveland transitioning to a 3-4 defense, he could be a nice addition for Ray Horton’s aggressive, blitz-heavy scheme. The Browns are a projected $45.6 million under the cap for 2013.