The Chargers had players end their seasons early for the fourth week in a row. Darrell Stuckey (hamstring) and DE Vaughn Martin (groin) were placed on the reserved-injured list Wednesday. To fill their spots on the roster, San Diego re-signed RB Curtis Brinkley and added LB Gary Guyton.

Martin injured his groin during pregame warm-ups before Sunday’s game in Pittsburgh. Martin was the team’s second-leading tackler on the defensive line with 27 tackles. “He’s a guy that is definitely going to be missed,” DE Corey Liuget said. “Losing him will definitely take a toll up front. We are down to five guys who can go out and play who know the play book play-by-play. We’ll definitely have more reps.”

Stuckey aggravated an injured hamstring during the game. Stuckey is the special teams captain and may have made the Pro Bowl this year. He had 12 stops, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble.

At this time of the year, players may be placed on the reserved-injured list with lesser injuries than earlier in the season because there isn’t enough time for them to heal and return. “I think the guys that we put on IR are the guys who would not be able to play in the next three weeks,” coach Norv Turner said. “We just have to get some guys in here who can play.”

Guyton (6-foot-3, 250 pounds) will likely play at weak-ILB against the Panthers this week. ILB Donald Butler (groin) and ILB Demorrio Williams (ankle) missed practice. “It’s a real challenge when you add a guy like Guyton and you expect him to play,” Turner said. “He got here last night about nine o’clock, and we have to get him ready to play in a game on Sunday.”

Guyton is a five-year vet and spent his first four seasons with the Patriots. He has 218 career tackles, 4.5 sacks and three INTs, including a 59-yard touchdown return. Guyton was with the Dolphins in preseason but has not played in a regular-season game this year. “I am going to go out there and give it the best I can,” Guyton said. “I have total full ability and trust in myself.”

The Chargers also released WR Kashif Moore from the practice squad and re-signed DE Logan Harrell.

Brinkley is back at home: Brinkley, a three-year vet, had been waived at least three times before he was released Nov. 28. On those occasions he had practice-squad eligibility. This was not the case a few weeks ago and Brinkley was not sure if he would return. “It was never like that before,” Brinkley said. “You never know what something means to you until it’s taken away from you. I have been around here for so long. Being late in the season, I didn’t really want to go someplace else. When I left, it was like I was leaving my family. When I was shaking people’s hands leaving, it was like leaving my brothers.”

Brinkley had played in seven games this season with one start and was inactive for four others. He saw action at running and as a kickoff returner. He said he is uncertain what his role will be for the remainder of the season. Brinkley could be the backup RB on Sunday because RB Ronnie Brown (hamstring) missed practice.

Stars were aligned for Novak: K Nick Novak’s 51-yard field goal in the first quarter against the Steelers was only the fifth successful kick of 50 yards or longer in the history of Heinz Field. Novak said he was unaware of the stat when he made the kick and was surprised when he was told afterward, but conditions were near perfect for the attempt.

“Typically, there is more wind coming in your face coming off the water,” Novak said. “That’s probably the main factor in that stadium. But the field was great. They just re-sodded it a few weeks ago, so it was probably better than a few weeks earlier. It wasn’t as windy. There was probably a 3-5 mile per hour wind, so we kind of got lucky there. Then the rain didn’t start until the fourth quarter and it was kind of warm, it was 56 degrees. All of the stars were aligned.”  

Novak has made 15 of 17 field goals since he was signed in Week 4 to replace Nate Kaeding (groin).

Injury Report: RB Brown (hamstring), ILB Butler (groin), RT Jeromey Clary (knee), LG Tyronne Green (hamstring) and ILB Williams (ankle) did not practice. LT Mike Harris (ankle) and WR Eddie Royal (hamstring) were limited, and neither participated last week. DE Kendall Reyes (quad) fully participated. Brown, Williams and Reyes were new additions to the list since Sunday’s game.

What’s next: The Chargers will practice in full pads Thursday.

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