Chargers, Texans To Play Sunday In San Diego

Friday, October 26th 2007, 8:01 am

By: News On 6

SAN DIEGO (AP) _ Chased from their homes and practice fields by deadly wildfires, the San Diego Chargers will return home to play the Houston Texans at Qualcomm Stadium on Sunday as scheduled.

The game's date and time had been in doubt because Qualcomm has been used as a major evacuation center during the wildfires that swept San Diego County. Qualcomm was to close as an evacuation center at noon Friday.

``Early Friday morning the Chargers informed me that the NFL has decided to play Sunday's game as scheduled at Qualcomm Stadium,'' Mayor Jerry Sanders said in a press release. ``The City will be able to provide sufficient public safety personnel to manage a professional football game without impeding ongoing wildfire recovery efforts.''

Neither the Chargers nor the NFL had immediate comment.

Some 46 players, coaches and staff members had to evacuate their suburban homes starting early Monday morning. Among them were LaDainian Tomlinson, Philip Rivers, Shawne Merriman, coach Norv Turner and general manager A.J. Smith.

The team canceled practice Monday, then flew to Phoenix on Tuesday night for three days of practice at the Arizona Cardinals' headquarters. The Chargers were scheduled to practice there Friday afternoon.