AP

As the San Diego Chargers prepare to potentially overhaul their roster, many have speculated that veteran linebacker Takeo Spikes will be one of several current members of the team to be jettisoned.

Though others likely will be gone, Spikes will be back. Word to that effect came straight from the man who calls the shots in San Diego: G.M. A.J. Smith.

“Save yourself some time and ink,” Smith said at the Scouting Combine, according to Kevin Acee of U-T San Diego. “Takeo Spikes isn’t going anywhere. He will be a Charger this season. We are very fortunate to have him as part of this situation. He’s a true professional in every sense of the word and brings a veteran presence in our locker room.”

Spikes, the 13th pick in the 1998 draft, will earn a base salary of $2.875 million in 2012. He started 16 games in his first season with the Chargers. Spikes, who played college football at Auburn, spent five seasons with the Bengals, four with the Bills, one with the Eagles, and three with the 49ers.