COSTA MESA, Calif. -- It’s rare that Philip Rivers takes a day off during training camp. The 35-year-old veteran quarterback would rather be on the field, but that was not the case as the Los Angeles Chargers resumed practice at Jack Hammett Sports Complex on Monday.
Head coach Anthony Lynn said that Rivers was given a second rest day of camp after the team’s joint scrimmage at StubHub Center against the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday. Rivers was not in attendance at practice.
Along with Rivers, tight end Antonio Gates was absent for a third day of practice after attending LaDainian Tomlinson’s induction at the Pro Football Hall of Fame ceremonies.
“I like to get those veteran guys through those [cruel] days of training camp, and then sort of work them back into it,” Lynn said.
Asked if Rivers had a say in whether he practiced Monday, a smiling Lynn said: “He didn’t have a choice.”
Lynn said he thought backup quarterback Kellen Clemens did a nice job with the starters.
Wiggins holding onto starting right guard job: The Chargers selected Forrest Lamp in the second round and Dan Feeney in the third round, bolstering an offensive line that lacked young, developmental talent.
However, with Lamp suffering a season-ending ACL knee injury, the Chargers have to go back to Plan B.
And that likely means fourth-year pro Kenny Wiggins will get an opportunity to earn the starting job at right guard, which would be the first time the Fresno State product came out of training camp as a starter.
“I should have played better in college; that’s how I looked at it,” Wiggins said, when asked about how he felt after the Chargers selected Lamp and Feeney on Day 2 of the draft. “But I was open for the challenge, and I’m ready to go.”
Wiggins was originally designated to be a restricted free agent this offseason, but the Chargers declined to tender the Fresno State product, making him an unrestricted free agent.
Wiggins played 129 snaps on offense in 2016, including one start against the Miami Dolphins.
“He’s got a lot of versatility,” Lynn said. “The guy has played all five spots on the offensive line this camp so far, and he’s doing a really good job.
“I think his experience of being in this league -- knowing what it takes to be a backup in this league and you have to play multiple spots -- he’s very dependable that way. But right now he’s competing for a starting job, as well.”
Wiggins has played in 29 career games, including 10 starts, in three NFL seasons.
Wiggins turns 29-years-old Tuesday, but he has no plans for his big day.
“I haven’t had a birthday since I was 12 because I’m always in camp,” Wiggins said.
Injury update: Lynn said receiver Isaiah Burse suffered a torn labrum in his shoulder during the first few days of training camp, which is why he’s wearing a red jersey. With Keenan Allen still not practicing due to a sore calf and Dontrelle Inman taking a rest day as he recovers from sports hernia surgery, Burse had his best day in camp, making several catches from the slot with the first group. Receiver Geremy Davis and defensive end Chris Landrum remain out with unspecified injuries. Joining them on the sidelines were cornerback Craig Mager and receiver Andre Patton. Rookie receiver Mike Williams remains on the physically unable to perform list with a lower back disc herniation.