Chargers scamper past Rams

The San Diego Chargers proved they can thrive without All-Pro tight end Antonio Gates – at least for one exhibition game.

LaDainian Tomlinson scored on a 55-yard run – his only carry of the game – and his backup, Michael Turner, also had a 55-yard run, plus a 2-yard TD scamper, as the Chargers beat the St. Louis Rams 36-21 on Sunday in San Diego.

Chargers general manager A.J. Smith said at halftime that Gates was expected to arrive in San Diego on Sunday night and sign a $380,000 tender to end his holdout. Because Gates missed a team-imposed deadline to report, the Chargers said on Saturday that they will put him on the Roster Exempt List once he signs, meaning he would have to sit out the last two exhibitions and the season opener against Dallas on Sept. 11.

However, Smith appeared blindsided by reports that commissioner Paul Tagliabue could intercede and have the roster exemption lifted.

“Now, we’re not aware of any of that, but we’d like to explore that,” Smith said.

Tomlinson capped San Diego’s first drive when he sprinted through a huge hole, ran toward the right sideline and blew past safety Adam Archuleta for the score. Tomlinson then took a spot on the sideline, his day’s work over after being in for just five plays. He also caught two passes from Drew Brees, for eight yards.

Marc Bulger threw two touchdown passes for the Rams. His 41-yarder to Torry Holt with 2:12 left before halftime burned Chargers cornerback Quentin Jammer and pulled the Rams to 17-14. He also threw a 13-yard TD pass to Kevin Curtis.

Giants’ Manning injures elbow

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning will have further tests on the right elbow he injured Saturday in a 27-21 victory over Carolina.

Manning woke up with soreness in the elbow. The second-year player had an MRI and is scheduled to be examined by team orthopedist Dr. Russell Warren today.

“Our situation is we want to wait until the complete exam is concluded,” coach Tom Coughlin said. “We’re very concerned. Any time a quarterback has soreness in his elbow there is concern.”

Manning was injured in the second quarter when Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers came from Manning’s right side and slapped the ball out of his hand as he was about to throw it. Peppers recovered the fumble and ran 29 yards for a touchdown.

Manning stayed in the game and threw a 41-yard touchdown pass to Amani Toomer on the Giants’ next series, but said his elbow was bothering him.

The Giants were already looking to make a deal for a veteran backup before Manning’s injury. On Saturday, former Cleveland Browns quarterback Tim Couch visited Giants Stadium for an interview and workout, a Giants official confirmed.

Cowboys lose kicker

The Dallas Cowboys had a tumultuous closing weekend of training camp in Oxnard, Calif., with kicker Billy Cundiff being injured.

Coach Bill Parcells said Jose Cortez will handle all the kicking chores tonight against Seattle.

Cundiff kicked one field goal in practice Saturday, then said he was hurt. The injury is a hip flexor, which Parcells said could take three or four weeks to heal.

Panthers’ safety out for season

Panthers safety Colin Branch will miss the entire season because of a knee injury during Carolina’s loss to the New York Giants.

General manager Marty Hurney said Sunday it was too early to say how the Panthers will replace Branch, or if first-round draft pick Thomas Davis will return to safety after one week at linebacker.

“We’re still going over the film,” Hurney said. “We haven’t even started those kinds of discussions.”

Branch tore both the anterior cruciate ligament and the medial collateral ligament in his right knee during the first quarter.