Chargers send Boston home from practice

Boston has been a disappointment so far since signing a big free-agent contract with the Chargers in the offseason. AP

SAN DIEGO (AP) -- The San Diego Chargers sent wide receiver David Boston home before practice on Wednesday as a disciplinary measure.

Boston was sent home after a morning meeting with coach Marty Schottenheimer.

Schottenheimer was guarded in his comments about Boston, who signed a $47 million contract as a free agent in March.

"David and I had a discussion and in the course of the discussion, thought we ought to have this day [off], and he's been excused for a matter that is not related to the medical part of it," Schottenheimer said.

General manager A.J. Smith wouldn't be more specific, but did say that it wasn't one incident that led to Boston being sent home, but rather, "it's several things."

"Let's just say we've got some guidelines here to adhere to," Smith said. "And David wasn't meeting them to our expectations."

Club officials planned to discuss Boston's situations in meetings Wednesday night.

"There is no suspension yet," said Smith, who expected Boston back on Thursday.

Mitch Frankel, Boston's agent, did not return phone messages Wednesday.

Boston, a Pro Bowl selection with Arizona in 2001, has made nearly as much news off the field as on it since joining the Chargers.

He raised eyebrows when skipping the Chargers' second game with a bruised heel, then was caught leaving the bench area before the end of the 37-13 loss to Denver. He also declined to join his teammates in the locker room for Schottenheimer's post-game speech.

Last Sunday he returned to action and caught six passes for 91 yards. But before the Chargers' 24-10 loss to Baltimore, he was involved in a shouting incident with injured wide receiver Reche Caldwell.

Following that game, he declined to speak to reporters, and the Chargers said he wasn't available to reporters after Monday's light workout.

It was Smith who signed Boston to a seven-year contract, which included a $4.55 million signing bonus and $550,000 in base salary this year. Smith hoped Boston could supply balance to an offense which features Pro Bowl running back LaDainian Tomlinson.

While with the Cardinals, Boston pleaded no contest to a charge of driving under the influence of drugs. Police said he tested positive for cocaine and marijuana.

Schottenheimer expects Boston to play Sunday in Oakland.

But to do so, Boston needs to practice Thursday or Friday, which is one of Schottenheimer's many rules. Boston didn't play in the home opener because of his bruised heel, after not practicing in the week leading up to the game.

"He would certainly have to be a part of one of those days," Schottenheimer said.

Also Wednesday, right tackle Vaughn Parker was put on injured reserve after having surgery Tuesday to repair two torn ligaments in his left knee. The team brought back free agent wide receiver Dondre Gilliam, signed rookie offensive lineman Alex Tuttle to the practice squad and released kicker Mackenzie Hoambrecker from the practice squad.