The Chargers practiced Tuesday without right guard D.J. Fluker, a veteran of three-plus NFL years who has played more than 3,000 offensive snaps across multiple positions in 43 regular-season and two postseason games.

His replacement does not have his experience.

It just seems like it sometimes.

Undrafted rookie Spencer Pulley worked at first-team right guard during Tuesday’s practice. That should come as a surprise to no one, given how the versatile lineman from Vanderbilt has adapted in recent months. Meanwhile, Fluker is sidelined by an apparent foot injury he sustained Monday.


× Coach Mike McCoy refers to Chargers Beat Writer Michael Gehlken as “doctor” for giving his analysis on the Fluker injury. Video by David Brooks.

On Tuesday, little was disclosed about Fluker’s status.

What was disclosed, however, evoked optimism.

The 2013 first-round pick underwent an MRI on Monday, the results of which were negative, coach Mike McCoy said. That’s a positive. Likewise, quarterback Philip Rivers characterized himself as never having been “too concerned” over his teammate’s status.


As for Fluker, he said that he wasn’t permitted to discuss his injury or, for that matter, much of anything else until receiving medical clearance to resume play.

“Taking it day by day,” Fluker said. “We’ll see how it goes.”

While all that suggests the fourth-year veteran will return sooner rather than later, for however long he is sidelined, the Chargers are confident in his replacement.

Pulley is a rookie, yes.


But not a typical one.

“Mentally, he’s like a three- or four-year vet,” center Matt Slauson said. “He truly approaches this (game) the right way, the way he studies it. He puts in the extra work. He plays like a vet. You don’t see that a lot, the way he sees the game, the way he knows the offense. … If he’s ever called on to play, he doesn’t want to be the weak leak. He wants to be ready to roll with all of us.”

On Tuesday, he rolled.

Be it with his communication or grasp of concepts, Pulley demonstrated fluency in the offense. His experience at Vanderbilt helped prepare him for such reps, as he did a bit of everything after arriving on campus as a tackle recruit from Memphis.


Pulley picked up guard and then center.

Over the course of his career, he made 25 straight starts at right guard between 2013 and 2014 and started all 12 games at center in 2015. He often was a stabilizing presence, as Vanderbilt cycled through quarterbacks.

With the Chargers, Pulley has played all three interior positions.

The team drafted two offensive linemen in April — third-round center Max Tuerk and seventh-round guard Donavon Clark. Even before the latter suffered a season-ending knee injury last week, it was a credit to Pulley how relatively smooth his transition had come.


“You really like the way he’s picked up the system,” coach Mike McCoy said. “Whether it’s a walk-through or live setting, he’s playing fast. And that’s the big thing, especially at center, making a lot of the calls and directing things. It’s not too big for him, and that was (apparent) from the early practices. He was right more often than not at what he was doing. …

“These next couple weeks will be great for him to get some snaps.”

Pulley, 23, did not expect to be drafted.

He had an accurate feel for the process, not having been invited to the NFL Scouting Combine. Some seniors were invited to the Senior Bowl, the hallmark all-star showcase game at which prospects are evaluated. Pulley went to the Tropic Bowl, a first-time showcase game in Miami.


The NFL, though, is about taking advantage of opportunities.

Pulley did at that game and then his pro day. Now, he is in San Diego.

He is expected to join a list of players who entered the NFL as undrafted Chargers rookies. Current players include tight end Antonio Gates, running back Branden Oliver, wide receiver Tyrell Williams, inside linebacker Nick Dzubnar and safeties Jahleel Addae and Adrian Phillips.

“You hear stories all around the league,” Pulley said. “I just thought, just because you’re an undrafted free agent doesn’t mean you can’t play. It’s not like they’re going to shut you out. For me, it was, ‘I’m going to keep doing what I’ve been doing my whole life, keep playing every play.’”


“I’m not thinking about what level I’m at or where I am. I just think, ‘I’m going to play football because I love playing.’”