Chargers Get Cornerback Mack

While the Chargers continued to plug holes on defense by acquiring rejects from other teams, they moved closer to ending the holdout of their most valuable offensive player.

The Chargers claimed cornerback Cedrick Mack off waivers Wednesday from the Phoenix Cardinals, who released the nine-year veteran Monday.

Tuesday, the Chargers picked up outside linebacker Mike Wilcher on waivers from the Rams. Wilcher practiced with the Chargers Wednesday afternoon.

Meanwhile, Leigh Steinberg, the new agent of holdout running back Marion Butts, is scheduled to speak with Charger General Manager Bobby Beathard today.

Steinberg said he will also stay in town Friday to attend the Chargers’ final exhibition game, with the Raiders. He did not say whether he would advise Butts to end his holdout.

“Before doing anything, I want to take a couple days to understand the roots of the situation,” he said. “But I will try to work this out so we get a permanent settlement so we don’t have to go through this again.”

Charger Coach Dan Henning said he called Butts Wednesday, but refused to comment on what was discussed.

Mack, 30, started 14 games at cornerback for the Cardinals last year and intercepted two passes.

Although the move will not be official until today, Billy Devaney, Charger director of player personnel, said he expects Mack to practice this afternoon.

“He’s a guy we’ve always thought highly of,” Devaney said.

When Mack reports, the Chargers will have to release a player to reach the roster limit of 60.

The Chargers on Wednesday released kicker Tom Whelihan to make room for Wilcher.

Whelihan, who has been in the Chargers’ camp the past two years, kicked a 41-yard field goal in Monday’s game against San Francisco.

Beathard was in Dallas Wednesday for owners meetings and was expected to continue talks with Houston and the New York Jets, trying to trade defensive end Lee Williams.

Newsday reported that Jet General Manager Dick Steinberg had not spoken with Beathard Wednesday. The Asbury Park Press is reporting that second-year cornerback Tony Stargell is the player the Jets would send to the Chargers for Williams.

The Houston Chronicle reported that Oiler General Manager Mike Holovak had also failed to hear from Beathard. The Chronicle also reported that Holovak is expected to attend the Chargers-Raiders game Friday to scout the Raiders, the Oilers’ first regular-season opponent.

Beathard did not return phone calls.

Linebackers Gary Plummer and Billy Ray Smith practiced for the first time in more than two weeks. Plummer, who has a strained neck, said he expects to play Friday.

Although he is not completely healed, Plummer said he feels a lot better than he did last week.

“For three or four days, I had the most excruciating pain I’ve ever felt in my life,” he said.

Plummer said watching the last two exhibition losses has not been easy.

“I didn’t mind missing the games so much until I saw what was going on,” he said.

Henning said Smith and Leo Goeas, who has missed two weeks with a knee injury, will probably play Friday.