Chargers guard D.J. Fluker, coming off his first practice in three weeks, recalled “weird” burning sensations, “scary” moments losing focus and a week-plus of light sensitivity following the Nov. 22 concussion he sustained against the Kansas City Chiefs.

The brain injury was the fourth known concussion of Fluker’s three-year NFL career. It came four days after the 340-pound blocker was concussed in practice.

“I think the most recent one was probably the worst one,” Fluker said Wednesday after he was a full participant in the team’s first practice for the Week 14 rematch at Kansas City.

Fluker said he hopes to play this week.


Against the Chiefs in San Diego, Fluker experienced “a fiery sensation in my whole body” for a play or two.

“It was a little weird,” he said.

Along with the hot tingling, he had initial moments where he lost focus.

“After that, I was kind of like, ‘I’ve got to chill out,’ ” Fluker said. “I love football. I can play through an ankle injury. Hurt. Whatever. Playing with my brain (not responding) is a whole different subject.”


Fluker termed it scary. “Especially when you’re going in and out of focus, wondering if you’re going to be OK the next day,” he said.

The 24-year-old said his mother, who lives in Alabama, called him every day after the concussion. He said he reassured her.

He said he’s “not really too worried” about the effect of the concussions. “But if I feel like I can’t go,” he said of playing, “I can’t go.”

Not playing is difficult, said Fluker, the team’s No. 1 draft pick in 2013.


“It kind of hurt me a little bit actually not to be out there with my teammates and giving it everything I’ve got,” he said. “I’ve got to understand one thing is, these coaches are looking out for me – (they say,) ‘Hey, we don’t want you playing this week because we’re protecting you.’ I’ve got to respect that.”

Five out

Five injured players did not practice Wednesday: WR Dontrelle Inman (neck), WR Stevie Johnson (foot), CB Brandon Flowers (knee), DE Corey Liuget (foot) and NT Sean Lissemore (shoulder).

Rivers will play


Philip Rivers was listed with a foot injury for the second week in a row, The quarterback, who was a limited participant, said he will play.

Left tackle King Dunlap returned from the ankle injury he sustained Nov. 22. He was limited, as was Manti Te’o for a non-injury.

Williams returns

Cornerback Steve Williams was a full participant, three days after he sustained what was the team’s 13th diagnosed concussion this season. The total ranks first in the NFL.


Chiefs sit five

Edge rushers Justin Houston and Tamba Hali were among five Chiefs players who didn’t practice. Both were sidelined with knee injuries.