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SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — On a night when San Francisco’s offensive stars sat out, the 49ers got more big plays on the other side of the ball to cap their first unbeaten preseason in 18 years.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The New Orleans Saints may have plucked another exciting young running back from the ranks of the undrafted.

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The agent for Vincent Jackson said Wednesday that the San Diego Chargers have given him the impression they aren’t inclined to trade the Pro Bowl wide receiver.

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Chargers running back Ryan Mathews had his nose cauterized in an uncomfortable procedure he says should eliminate nosebleeds that have plagued him during his career.

SAN DIEGO (AP) — While predecessor LaDainian Tomlinson usually skipped exhibition games in order to be fresh for the regular season, Ryan Mathews is not following the same philosophy with the San Diego Chargers.

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Ryan Mathews had an impressive debut and the San Diego Chargers got along fine without holdouts Vincent Jackson and Marcus McNeill in a 25-10 preseason victory over the Chicago Bears on Saturday night.

Shawne Merriman signed a one-year, $3.269 million tender with the San Diego Chargers on Friday and acknowledged that his two-week holdout did not accomplish anything. Merriman, the team’s star outside linebacker, will not play in Saturday night’s exhibition opener against Chicago, but Coach Norv Turner said he expected him to be ready for next weekend’s game against Dallas.

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Shawne Merriman signed his $3,269,000, one-year tender with the San Diego Chargers on Friday, admitting his two-week holdout didn’t accomplish anything.

SAN DIEGO (Reuters) - Linebacker Shawne Merriman ended his hold out on Friday and agreed to accept a $3.2 million tender offer to re-sign with the San Diego Chargers.

Linebacker Shawne Merriman signed a one-year tender and acknowledged he accomplished nothing by not showing up for training camp.

Nate Kaeding missed three field goals in last season’s playoff loss to the Jets, but he is returning to the Chargers to prove he has overcome his postseason yips.

SAN DIEGO (AP) — San Diego Chargers rookie linebacker Donald Butler will miss the entire season after sustaining an Achilles’ tendon injury.

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Running back Ryan Mathews signed a five-year, $25.65 million contract with the San Diego Chargers on Sunday, with just more than $15 million in guaranteed money.

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Antonio Gates has caught plenty of big passes for the San Diego Chargers, and on Wednesday he hauled in the biggest contract ever given to an NFL tight end.

San Diego is missing several pieces to its offense, but Coach Norv Turner seems confident the Chargers can bounce back from last year’s playoff loss to the Jets.

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Drug Enforcement Administration said Wednesday it doesn’t believe Dr. David Chao of the San Diego Chargers medical staff was using medications himself even though he apparently had written at least 108 drug prescriptions to himself since 2008.