The Chargers are opposed to trading wide receiver Vincent Jackson, but should they decide to the Redskins and Seahawks are interested. Jackson has yet to sign his one-year restricted free-agent tender and reportedly doesn't intend to do so any time soon, threatening a holdout that could last well into the regular season.

Chargers coach Norv Turner won't discuss the team's hold outs. Rookie running back Ryan Mathews hasn't signed a contract yet. Also missing were outside linebacker Shawne Merriman, left tackle Marcus McNeill and Pro Bowl wide receiver Vincent Jackson. They are unhappy about their status as restricted free agents.

Shawne Merriman said he is not looking or a long-term contract or even a raise from the $3.269 million the Chargers have offered in a one-year tender. "It's not about me wanting more money," Merriman said. "I will show what I deserve. I don?t have to ask for it. I feel like I've proved what I'm worth, and I will still prove it. To me, it really comes down to, 'Am I on the trading block this week? The third week of the season, am I on the block?' Where is that comforability for me? "I'm only coming back to be the guy on the defense. I'm not coming back to be a guy. I want to be on a team where someone is going to be building a defense around me." Merriman said Thursday afternoon he won't report to training camp in advance of Friday's first full-squad workout, but beyond that he will continue to assess the situation. "This is literally day to day how things progress, how things move," he said. "I don?t want this to be a distraction to my teammates. I don't want this to be a distraction to me. I just want to get something resolved soon and go from there. The bottom line is when I get back on the field I plan on doing what I do best, and that is playing."

Antonio Gates has caught a number of big passes for the Chargers, and on Wednesday he hauled in the biggest contract ever given to an NFL tight end, according to an Associated Press report. Gates agreed to a $36.175M, five-year contract extension, with $20.4M guaranteed, according to a person familiar with the deal, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the figures weren?t released.

Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman could report to training camp after all. San Diego and Merriman are in the early stages of discussing the possibility of the three-time Pro Bowl linebacker signing his one-year, $3.269 million tender and joining the team, sources told the San Diego Union-Tribune. "Because of the things he's been through, he (Merriman) would benefit greatly from having a full, great training camp and getting back to doing the things he does healthy," coach Norv Turner told the newspaper. "I don't care who you are, if you're not 100 percent ... there are things you can't do that you used to do, you're not instinctive. The way you get those things back is by going 100 mph and practicing."

Ryan Matthews hopes to be in camp on time with the Chargers. ?It?s also a business,? Mathews said. ?That?s what I have to realize. ? I want to be on time. Hopefully that happens. If not, there?s nothing I can do.?

The Chargers have been mentioned as a potential landing spot for Terrell Owens, but GM A.J. Smith claims it is unlikely. ?We?re all set right now with our receivers,? says Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith, back from vacation a week before the opening of training camp. ?I don?t want to be involved. A lot of people have us targeted, but they know I wouldn?t do it. ?You know me. It?s up to you to speculate on how I feel. You?d be a smart man if you did.?

The Chargers have confirmed that wide receiver Vincent Jackson has been suspended by the NFL for three games for violating the league's substance abuse policy. Jackson will be eligible to return to the active roster on Sept. 27. He is eligible to participate in training camp and exhibition games.

The Chargers are not actively shopping wide receiver Vincent Jackson, league sources told ESPN Insider Adam Schefter. Jackson, who according to a league source has been suspended three games for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy, has refused to sign his tender with San Diego as a restricted free agent. It has been rumored that Jackson should sit out the first 10 games of the season.

Chargers rookie running back Ryan Mathews insists he isn't headed for a hold out. "My main thing is to get into camp as soon as possible," Mathews said. "I've talked to my agent; I need to be there. Too many guys hold out for all the wrong reasons and I'm not going to be one of them. I'm looking ahead, to winning that last game of the year, the Super Bowl." Mathews has the unenviable task of trying to replace LaDainian Tomlinson in San Diego.