He may not have to turn to backup plan

SAN DIEGO - Had quarterback Philip Rivers had his way, he would have thrown a few passes during yesterday's practice. Or so suggested coach Norv Turner, who took it upon himself to ban any such audible.

"We didn't think it was appropriate," said Turner, offering a slight smile.

Thus was Rivers - who in the past two weeks has suffered sprains to the medial collateral ligament in both his left (vs. Tennessee) and right (vs. Indianapolis) knees - held out of yet another practice in preparation for Sunday's AFC Championship game against the Patriots. Since that was also the case for tight end Antonio Gates (dislocated toe), one could assume that the medical picture is bleak for the Chargers.

On the contrary, "I think we're making progress," said Turner.

Turner reported that All-Pro running back LaDainian Tomlinson "did everything" in practice while the team's most heralded linebacker, Shawne Merriman, "saw limited action."

That's a .500 average for four marquee names, but the sense is Turner's team will fashion a higher average when game time arrives. The coach went so far as to say that even if Rivers doesn't practice today, people shouldn't take that to mean he won't start Sunday.

"If Rivers can go out in the pregame and handle the things he needs to handle physically, he will play," said Turner, whose team will have one final practice today before flying coast-to-coast.

Turner insisted he has the utmost confidence in backup quarterback Billy Volek. Many people might dismiss Volek, even though he led the Chargers on the game-winning drive at Indianapolis last Sunday, but not Turner, who has had a front-row seat to what Volek offers. As coach of the Oakland Raiders in 2004, Turner watched Volek throw for a mind-boggling 492 yards for the Titans. Volek has started just 10 games in his eight-year career, and none since 2005 with Tennessee.

"We have faith that Billy can do the job," said Turner, who added that there was one bright note to that game in 2004. Somehow, he laughed, "we won the game. I remember that."

Turner's time coming

Backup running back Michael Turner's value has been afforded much press out here. Turner seems at ease with the questions, even though they could be considered touchy. There is the matter of his pending free agent status and members of the media have wondered how general manager A.J. Smith could have extended a whopping $2.35 million to Turner this season but not tied him up with a longer contract. "There's a chance. Anything's possible," said Turner with a smile, when asked if he saw himself in a Chargers uniform next season . . . Stan Humphries - the starting quarterback when the Chargers played in their only Super Bowl - will be the team's honorary captain for Sunday's game. He'll address the team before the game and accompany the five captains onto the field for the coin toss . . . Lost in the glow of last Sunday's win over Indianapolis was the terrific punt unleashed by Mike Scifres in a clutch situation. With 1:42 to play and the Chargers nursing a 28-24 lead, they were pinned on their 14. Scifres, a fourth-year player out of Western Illinois, took advantage of the calm conditions at the RCA Dome and boomed a 66-yarder that his teammates covered splendidly. Instead of midfield position, the Colts started from their 32, and after they went four-and-out, the Chargers had the victory. "He's a weapon, man. Absolutely he is," said safety Marlon McCree about Scifres, who ranked sixth in the league with a 46.1-yard average. In Week 2 at Gillette Stadium, Scifres averaged 49.6 yards on five punts. The weather will be a bit different this time around.

Sturdy and stable

Scott Mruczkowski, whose brother Gene is with the Dolphins after having played for the Patriots, is a backup on the Chargers' offensive line, which enjoyed great health this season. Mruczkowski, a third-year guard/center from Bowling Green, saw action in all 16 games, as did three starters - left tackle Marcus McNeill, left guard Kris Dielman, and right guard Mike Goff. Center Nick Hardwick missed four games and right tackle Jeromey Clary has played in eight, including the last seven. On offense, seven of San Diego's 11 starters played every game; on defense, only four players (left end Igor Olshansky, linebacker Stephen Cooper, and safeties Clinton Hart and McCree) haven't missed a start . . . Win or lose, Norv Turner will experience a first in his NFL career. He'll either be the head coach of a Super Bowl team or a Pro Bowl team. Pride and history, of course, are the biggest differences between the two, but so, too, do financial concerns enter the equation. At the Super Bowl, the winning share is $78,000 per coach and player, $40,000 if you're on the losing side; at the Pro Bowl, it's $40,000 and $20,000 . . . In their wild-card win over the Titans, the Chargers forced four three-and-out series, giving them 32 in a nine-game stretch dating to Nov. 11. They didn't have any against the Colts last Sunday, though the Chargers did force a four-and-out effort at the most crucial time - with only 1:30 left.

Jim McCabe can be reached at jmccabe@globe.com.