Winslow, Chargers Still Apart

SAN DIEGO —  The Chargers and tight end Kellen Winslow made no progress Tuesday in their dispute over whether Winslow is healthy enough to play in Sunday’s regular season opener.

But Steve Ortmayer, the team’s director of football operations, softened his stance of Monday, at which time he suspended Winslow.

“This is the last thing we would want to enter our lives in the week of a big, big game like we have,” Ortmayer said. “This is a guy who has been a tremendous player here.

“He’s been a part of the history of football. He’s been a part of all our football lives here in San Diego. And I’m sure he’s going to be appropriately recognized in the Hall of Fame.

“Even the importance of the events of this week--our opening game with a division opponent--this isn’t something that we would have any dream or feeling that would ever occur.

“But the fact that we have total differing opinions on the obligations of a contract doesn’t overshadow the fact that Kellen Winslow has been a great player for the San Diego Chargers.

“We appreciate that and recognize that. But yet we obviously have a strong difference of opinion.”

The fact remains: Winslow is still suspended. Ortmayer said he has informed Winslow’s agent, Jim Steiner, of the particulars of the suspension. But he wouldn’t say publicly how long the suspension will last.

Winslow maintains his knee has deteriorated to the point where he can’t play football anymore. But he claims the Chargers owe him his guaranteed $795,000 1988 base salary whether he plays or not.

The Chargers insist he is healthy enough to play. And they don’t think they should pay him anything if he refuses to play.

Winslow and Steiner were unavailable for comment Tuesday.