Charger Notebook : Not Much Help Expected to Come From USFL

SAN DIEGO —  Herschel Walker may be on his way to Dallas, but don’t expect much USFL help to be on its way to the Chargers.

The Chargers received more than their share of USFL refugees last year when they signed Gary Anderson, Trumaine Johnson and Tim Spencer. They still have negotiating rights to wide receivers Clarence Collins and Scott Fitzkee and quarterback Ed Luther, who was with the Chargers for five seasons before playing for the USFL’s Jacksonville Bulls last year.

Earlier, the Chargers said they would attempt to trade Luther’s rights rather than retain him.

“It’s not that we don’t think Luther is a good football player,” said Ron Nay, director of scouting. “He’s a good football player. We don’t think he would fit in here right now. We’d like to have Collins come in and give him a look. We have no interest in Fitzkee.”

What about other USFL players? ?

“There’s really nobody that would come in and turn the franchise around that hasn’t been drafted by someone else already,” Nay said. “There are some defensive players who we would like to see if they could make our team. We have a couple of defensive backs we’d like to try out. I don’t think they are better than (Danny) Walters or (Wayne) Davis.”

The Chargers are hurting at running back, but only Lionel James (sprained knee) will miss Saturday’s exhibition opener against Dallas. Anderson (cracked ring finger) will see limited action. Curtis Adams (twisted ankle) and Spencer (sprained foot) may play more extensively.

Not expected to play are wide receiver Curtis Pardridge (hamstring), defensive lineman Marlin Wenstrom (concussion), linebackers Mark Fellows (hip), Woodrow Lowe (stomach muscle strain) and Mike Guendling (ankle, hasn’t passed physical), and defensive backs Jeff Dale (knee) and John Hendy (shoulder).

Two others will see limited action--offensive lineman Jeff Walker (thigh) and defensive lineman James Lockett (knee).

Coach Don Coryell said that quarterback Dan Fouts will only play the first couple of series. Mark Herrmann and Wayne Peace will follow. Tom Flick will not play because of an ankle injury but is expected to see action next week against Philadelphia.

The Chargers’ plan of attack against Dallas:

“We’ll place a lot of emphasis on winning,” Coryell said. “But it won’t be at the expense of playing (starting) people who could be injured or not playing people we want to look at. For instance, we won’t jump in Gary Anderson at the goal line to score. If they’re scoring against us, we won’t jump in our first team to stop them. We’re really interested in how well individuals play.”

Coryell had several observations on training camp thus far.

--He is pleased with the transition of Sam Claphan from right tackle to left guard and Gary Kowalski from left guard to right tackle.

--Wes Chandler has been outstanding, and Charlie Joiner doesn’t seem to have slowed down at all.

--The most improved players are Buford McGee and Johnson.

--Kellen Winslow has been showing great improvement as he continues his comeback after missing 12 months with a knee injury.

Earl Wilson Watch: Wilson weighed in at 281 pounds Thursday, costing him another $150. His total fine is now $2,825 since he is being fined $25 per pound per day that he is more than 275.

There was one bright note. Thursday was Wilson’s lowest daily fine thus far.

Wilson said he is seeing a nutritionist and expects to be at 275 pounds “very soon.”