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Jaquars hoping for Garrard's return against Chargers

Nov 18, 2007 - 11:26 AM San Diego (5-4) at Jacksonville (6-3) Sunday 1:00 pm EST

JACKSONVILLE, Florida (Ticker) -- As the Jacksonville Jaguars continue their playoff pursuit, they could be getting back one of their key players.

The Jaguars hope to have quarterback David Garrard back in the lineup on Sunday, when they host the San Diego Chargers in an important AFC contest.

"We'll see how practice goes," Jacksonville coach Jack Del Rio said. "We assume he'll be better this week."

Garrard has missed three games since sustaining a high-ankle sprain on October 22 against the Indianapolis Colts.

In Garrard's absence, Quinn Gray led the Jaquars to a 2-1 record, including a critical 28-13 victory over the Tennessee Titans last week.

Jacksonville earned a split of the season series and tied Tennessee for second place in AFC South. The Jaguars and Titans are one game behind the division-leading Colts.

The Jaguars avenged a season-opening 13-10 loss to the Titans, when they surrendered 282 yards rushing. It was the Titans' second-highest total in franchise history.

Last week, Maurice Jones-Drew gained 101 yards on 19 carries as the Jaguars rushed for 166 yards against the NFL's top run defense.

Fred Taylor added 45 yards on 16 carries to become the 21st running back in NFL history to rush for 10,000 yards.

The Chargers escaped with a 23-21 victory over the Colts last week, when Adam Vinatieri, the best clutch kicker in NFL history, shockingly missed a 29-yard field goal with 91 seconds remaining.

San Diego nearly squandered a 23-0 lead despite intercepting Peyton Manning six times - one on the game's final play.

Still, the Chargers emerged from the wild finish in sole possession of first place in the AFC West - one game ahead of Kansas City (4-5) and Denver (4-5).

Antonio Cromartie had three interceptions - all in the first half - while making his first career start at cornerback for the injured Quentin Jammer.

"It's nice to win," Chargers coach Norv Turner said. "That's a heck of a football team. They're the defending Super Bowl champions, and any way you can beat them. I don't know how to explain it, but obviously, we'll take it."

The Chargers got most of their offense from Darren Sproles, who returned the opening kickoff and a punt for his first two career touchdowns.

Philip Rivers struggled - completing just 13-of-24 passes for 104 yards and two interceptions - while LaDanian Tomlinson was held to 76 yards and a TD on 21 carries.

Tomlinson needs just 91 yards on Sunday to become the 22nd running back to NFL history to gain 10,000 career rushing yards, a milestone Taylor reached last Sunday.