PRO FOOTBALL REPORT / WEEKDAY UPDATE : CHARGERS : Smith Probably Won’t Be Ready to Play Against Bucs

Uncertainty still surrounds the return of linebacker Billy Ray Smith, who has been on injured reserve for the past five games with an abdominal strain.

A decision will be made today whether Smith will be activated for Sunday’s game against Tampa Bay at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium.

“(He’s) doubtful to play, questionable to be active and probable to be considered,� Coach Dan Henning said.

Smith worked out Wednesday with team trainer Keoki Kamau, but did not participate in the team’s regular drills.

“They say if there’s any discomfort when I run or move on it then I run the risk of pulling it again and starting over from scratch,� Smith said. “So it’s still up in the air. I’m still a little bit sore, but I was moving around pretty well today. I don’t think it’s anything that’s going to keep me from being activated.�

The injury report listed safety Martin Bayless (sprained ankle) as questionable. Henning said he is doubtful. Bayless said he will play.

“I’ll be OK,� he said.

It was pointed out that he is being quite optimistic, considering he still can’t walk without crutches. “Yeah, kind of,� he said. “But you never know.�

Other Charger injuries: safety Vencie Glenn (hamstring), tight end Arthur Cox (large toe) and linebacker Jeff Mills (thigh) are questionable.

Buccaneer injuries: Quarterback Vinny Testaverde (toe) is questionable.

Gary Anderson is making his return to San Diego as a Buccaneer, which makes a lot of the Charger defenders wish he was still on their side.

“I think losing Gary Anderson was definitely a big loss to our team,� Bayless said. “He was a leader on this team. He was the whole package wrapped up in one. You don’t come across players who are that well rounded anymore.�

Smith remembers Anderson from college. Hard to forget a guy who caused a defender to blow out his knee by simply putting a move on him.

And who can forget Anderson’s grand leap from the six-yard line to the end zone over two Miami Dolphin defenders?

“If we’re close to him at the goal-line,� Smith said, “we’re supposed to jump up and pull him down.�

Henning said he will write the league office a letter regarding a play in Sunday’s loss to the Raiders involving punter John Kidd. Henning thought there should have been a roughness penalty.

“We got an explanation (from the referees), but I will write to the league because I think if you have to make an explanation for that call you probably think you’re not really correct about it,� he said. “So we don’t need an explanation. We need the correct call.� . . . Receiver Ron Heard, who is on injured reserve with a thigh injury, practiced for the first time on Wednesday.