K Jay Feely, who was signed after Mike Nugent suffered a strained right thigh during a first-quarter kickoff in the Jets' opening-day win over Miami, missed from 31 yards and connected from 21 against New England. Nugent missed practice Wednesday and it appears he will miss the San Diego game as well, meaning Feely will have another chance to play.

RB Jesse Chatman was suspended for the first four games of the season for violating the NFL's policy on steroids and related substances. The Jets still are short-handed at the position with only two true running backs on the roster, Thomas Jones and Leon Washington, and it appears they simply will wait for Chatman to come back rather than sign someone.

PLAYER NOTES

--CB Justin Miller (toe) was limited in practice Thursday but is progressing well and could see action this week at San Diego.

Rookie Dwight Lowery has started the first two games at right corner.

--WR David Clowney (collarbone), out since after the second preseason game, still isn't that close to returning. As is his custom, coach Eric Mangini declined to give a timetable on Clowney's recovery. He would provide the Jets' WR corps with a much-needed speed element.

--P Ben Graham was waived. The Jets were unhappy with his lack of hang time and frequent shanks.

--P Reggie Hodges was signed to replace Graham. Hodges was a sixth-round pick of St. Louis in 2005 and averaged 33.0 net yards on 41 punts for the Rams and Eagles in 2005, the last time he punted in a regular-season NFL game.

--LB Kenwin Cummings, who was waived to make room for K Jay Feely, was re-signed to the practice squad after clearing waivers. Cummings was quite impressive in training camp and preseason and the Jets believe he has potential.

--WR Brad Smith has zero receptions in the first two games and it appears that Chansi Stuckey has surpassed him as the team's No. 3 receiver.

--K Mike Nugent (thigh) didn't practice Wednesday and it appears unlikely he will play at San Diego.

GAME PLAN: The Jets need to exploit a San Diego defense ranked 31st against the pass after two games, especially because this game has all the earmarks of an old-fashioned shootout like the ones back in the 1960s between these old AFL rivals. Losing Shawne Merriman, out for the season with a knee injury, has decimated San Diego's pass rush, but the offense seems healthy even with LaDainian Tomlinson still nursing a toe injury. The Jets must keep an eye on Tomlinson's backup, Darren Sproles, who had 317 all-purpose yards against Denver, including touchdowns on a 103-yard kickoff return and a 66-yard reception.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Jets CB Dwight Lowery vs. Chargers TE Antonio Gates. Miami tight ends Anthony Fasano and David Martin totaled 12 receptions for 137 yards and two touchdowns against the Jets earlier this month, and San Diego could exploit the Jets down the middle with one of the best tight ends in the NFL. Jets FS Eric Smith also is likely to be called upon to cover Gates at times.

Jets WR Laveranues Coles vs. Chargers CB Quentin Jammer. Coles and Brett Favre aren't quite on the same page just yet, but Coles seems to be getting used to Favre's freelancing on plays in which the pocket breaks down. Coles had a 54-yard reception in such a situation against New England, but did have an uncharacteristic two dropped passes in that game, however.

Jets NT Kris Jenkins vs. Chargers C Jeremy Newberry. The veteran Newberry will literally have his hands full trying to fend off Jenkins, who had six tackles against New England, including one sack and two other tackles for loss. Jenkins has made a quick conversion from a 4-3 tackle to a 3-4 nose tackle and must be double-teamed whenever possible.

INJURY IMPACT: CB Justin Miller (toe) is getting healthier and could return to action at San Diego on Monday night, although rookie Dwight Lowery might again start at right corner. Lowery obviously is less experienced than Miller, but has better technique. Jay Feely replaced Mike Nugent (thigh) on placekicks against New England and it looks as if he will do so again against the Chargers.