Union-Tribune file photo Linebacker Anthony Waters (53, shown at last season's training camp), whose surgically repaired knee kept him out of action last season, came off the Chargers' physically unable to perform list Monday and was back at practice.

The plan was for Anthony Waters to ease into action.

But the plan went out the window shortly after the Chargers took the field yesterday morning.

“I felt real good as soon as I started running,” said the linebacker. “I felt like my old self . . . like I felt my junior year in college. So when I felt that way in my first practice, I just wanted to keep going.”

Until yesterday, Waters had been on the Chargers' physically unable to perform list, the result of July 18 arthroscopic surgery to clean out the scar tissue from a surgically repaired knee that had essentially cost him his senior season at Clemson as well as his first season with the Chargers.

While his teammates were practicing, Waters was exercising along the sidelines awaiting a physical clearance.

“Mentally, I've been ready to go for a long time,” Waters said. “I just needed them to say 'Go.' ”

Yesterday, the doctors said “Go.” And by the end of the morning practice, Waters was taking regular shifts with the second-team base defense as well as participating on special teams.

Rivers ready

Philip Rivers is looking forward to playing in a game healthy. And he is excited to play in any game against another team, even if it is an exhibition.

But he is not viewing Saturday's exhibition opener against the Cowboys at Qualcomm Stadium as any sort of test for his surgically repaired knee.

“Other than taking a hit – which isn't going to affect my mindset – there is really nothing I'll be doing faster (than in practice),” he said. “There is no more testing it out to be done.”

Coach Norv Turner hasn't decided yet exactly how the playing time will be divided among his quarterbacks, but he expects it to be about the same as usual. That means Rivers will likely play a quarter (or two series), Billy Volek the middle two quarters and Charlie Whitehurst the final quarter.

“It's hard with three guys getting them enough reps,” Turner said. “But we'll do everything we can to get them.”

Nuts 'n' Bolts

The fact Nick Hardwick is wearing a protective boot on his right foot can only be seen as a setback. Hardwick, who had been wearing a tennis shoe on the foot for two weeks, won't comment on his status. While it was not expected Hardwick would start the season after March surgery, he seemed to be making progress until this weekend.

Luis Castillo (back), Shawne Merriman (knee) and Jamal Williams (knees) worked the afternoon practice after missing the morning. Scott Chandler (back) did not work in the afternoon. Vincent Jackson (hamstring) missed his sixth straight practice.

Offensive line coach Jack Henry has been excused from practice for a few days because of a personal issue.

About 1,000 tickets remain to be sold by 7 p.m. tomorrow in order to lift the local blackout for Saturday's game.

Today's 4 p.m. practice is open to the public.