SAN DIEGO -- When he signed with the San Diego Chargers in free agency, the goal was simple for safety Jimmy Wilson: Earn a starting job for his hometown team.

But the San Diego native lost a close training camp battle to third-year pro Jahleel Addae. Wilson still saw action in 17 plays last week against the Detroit Lions, finishing with three combined tackles and another two on special teams.

Addae missed practiced all week, and is listed as doubtful due to an ankle injury suffered in the second half of the Lions game. So that means Wilson now gets his opportunity to start for the Chargers.

“That’s the goal everybody has in the NFL,” said Wilson, who will make his 22nd career start against the Bengals. “I think I’m one of the best players out there, just like I’m sure every other safety does. And I’ve got a great chance to prove it this Sunday.

“I’m just happy that I can step in, and the coaches have gotten comfortable with me and let me go out there and do my thing.”

Chargers head coach Mike McCoy said that Wilson has made steady improvement since joining the team in free agency this offseason.

“Like any player, he’s getting more and more comfortable in the system the more he plays -- and not just in practice, but the true live games, when things happen faster and you’ve got to make quicker decisions,” McCoy said.

With only three healthy safeties on the roster, the Chargers also could make a roster move before Sunday’s game, bringing up safety Adrian Phillips from the practice squad to the active roster.

Phillips spent 10 weeks on the practice squad as an undrafted rookie out of Texas last season, and also was active for three games in 2014.

“He’s somebody on our practice squad that has the ability to do the things that we ask,” Chargers defensive coordinator John Pagano said about Philips. “He knows the defense. He’s worked well with the guys back there, and it’s always about staying ready.”

The Chargers also likely will be without return man Jacoby Jones and right guard D.J. Fluker. Jones suffered an ankle injury in the Detroit game and did not practice all week. Branden Oliver likely will serve as San Diego’s kick returner with Jones out, and Keenan Allen will fill in as the team’s punt returner.

Chris Hairston replaced Fluker when he suffered a high-ankle sprain against the Lions, and is ready to get his first career start at right guard. Both Jones and Fluker are listed as doubtful for Sunday.

Outside linebacker Kyle Emanuel has been a limited participant in practice all week with a shoulder issue and likely will be a game-time decision. He’s listed as questionable for Sunday’s game.

But if Emanuel can’t play, second-year pro Jeremiah Attaochu should be ready to reclaim his starting job after missing last week’s game with a hamstring injury. Attaochu was a full participant in practice all week and is probable for Sunday.

Cornerbacks Brandon Flowers (knee) and Craig Mager (hamstring) were full participants on Friday and are probable.

Guard Johnnie Troutman (forearm) and outside linebacker Tourek Williams have been ruled out for Sunday.