Chargers tight end Antonio Gates will test his right foot in two to three weeks. Gates, who visited foot specialist Dr. Robert Anderson in North Carolina this week because of some pain, was diagnosed with plantar fasciitis. "You see guys out here working hard and you want to be a part of it," Gates said. "But you got to take care of issues off the field; take care of my foot and make sure I stay healthy. Because ultimately September is when it really starts, and I'm looking forward to that."

Chargers general manager A.J. Smith has confirmed to the San Diego Union-Tribune that he met with Shawne Merriman's new representative, David Dunn, on Thursday. "We had a meeting with David that was very productive and enlightening on a number of fronts," Smith said. "Regarding Shawne, I told him we are open-minded regarding his situation. We have many other player situations to ponder in the year ahead." The Union-Tribune reported last week that Merriman might have fired Tom Condon because the agent's high contract demands contributed to the failure of three draft-weekend trade attempts.

An autopsy has showed that former NFL defensive tackle Norman Hand died of heart disease when he collapsed at his South Carolina home. Colleton County Coroner Richard Harvey said that Hand's death was from natural causes. Hand, 37, was a 10-year NFL veteran and played with the Dolphins, Saints, Chargers, Seahawks and Giants.

It was believed that a switch in agents would facilitate a trade sending Shawne Merriman out of San Diego, but nothing appears imminent. Michael Lombardi of the National Football Post writes that perhaps Merriman is to blame as "he is not the same player he once was and hasn't come back to the same level since his knee injury in 2008."

Former NFL defensive tackle Norman Hand has died at age 37 after collapsing at his home in South Carolina. Hand, who played for the Chargers, Saints, Dolphins, Seahawks and Giants, collapsed on Friday morning and died soon after at a local hospital. He had 22? career sacks.

Shawne Merriman?s firing of uber-agent Tom Condon and pending agreement to be represented by David Dunn comes on the heels of three possible draft-weekend deals that sources said died in large part because of Condon?s high demands for a long-term contract for Merriman. It is no secret that Merriman, like many other players caught in a side effect of the NFL?s labor strife, is unhappy with his status. It is also no secret he is frustrated that Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith has no plans to give him a long-term deal. The Chargers have made it known to other teams that Merriman remains available for trade and likely will through the October trading deadline.