Malcom Floyd wasn’t just back to practice Wednesday. By many indications, he largely was back.

Range of motion in shoulder? “I have full range,” Floyd said.

The ability to make the type of catches he’s made a 12-year career out of making? “I think so,” he said. “They’re working me back in.”

Time will tell; a torn labrum is a significant injury. But the Chargers wide receiver made a good step from an ailment suffered Nov. 9 against the Bears. He rested during the bye week and was sidelined last week. On Wednesday, Floyd officially was a limited participant. His status for Sunday in Jacksonville will gain clarity over the course of the week.


Floyd long has planned for this to be his final NFL season.

He wants to end it on as positive a note as possible. Returning to the field Wednesday was a start.

“This is my playground,” Floyd said. “This is where I have fun. It was awesome being out there.”

“I thought he looked good,” quarterback Philip Rivers said. “He had a big smile on his face. He ran around well, caught it well. I’m certainly hopeful that he can (play Sunday). There’s obviously no contact out here, but he looked good. That’d certainly be a boost for us to have him out there.”


Not everyone back

Floyd practiced. Six Chargers didn’t.

Safety Eric Weddle (groin), defensive end Corey Liuget (foot), right guard D.J. Fluker (concussion), left tackle King Dunlap (ankle), nose tackle Sean Lissemore (concussion) and tight end Ladarius Green (ankle) missed Wednesday’s session.

Tight end Antonio Gates (hip) and inside linebacker Manti Te’o (ankle) joined Floyd as limited in practice. Safety Jahleel Addae, concussed in the third quarter Sunday, notably was a full participant.


Gates has said he’ll use this week to decide whether or not continuing to play through injury is a help or hindrance to the team.”

“That’s where I’m at right now,” said Gates, who caught one pass on three targets Sunday for 6 yards.