Published: August 19, 2009 10:22 pm      

Ex-Tiger Vasquez back at practice for Chargers

Corsicana’s Louis Vasquez was back on the field Tuesday for the San Diego Chargers after a foot injury kept him out of action for nearly two weeks, the team’s official web site, Chargers.com, reported on Tuesday.

Chargers coach Norv Turner told the team web site following the Chargers’ Tuesday morning practice that he thought it would take a few more days before either of his top two draft picks would return from injuries.

Turner was glad he was wrong about the offensive guard out of Texas Tech. Vasquez, who suffered a foot injury nearly two weeks ago, was back on the field Tuesday afternoon banging into defensive linemen and linebackers and getting back in the flow of things.

“It’s just been progressing every day,” Vasquez told Chargers.com. “I came out and it felt good. I kept rolling through practice and thank God I finished up.”

During the time he was unable to practice, Vasquez made sure to play particularly close attention in meetings and he diligently took mental reps during practice. Because of that, he didn’t feel too far behind in what he was asked to do Tuesday afternoon.

“Mentally I felt up to speed because I’ve been in meetings and talking to coaches,” Vasquez told Chargers.com. “I was in the playbook. Whenever a coach decides to change something, we’ll address it in meetings. I felt pretty good on my assignments and stuff (today).”

After Vasquez’s strong start to training camp, Turner anticipated that would be the case when the team’s third-round pick got back to work.

“He got off to such a great start and was so impressive in the things he did,” Turner said last week. “I’m disappointed that he missed the reps, but he’s a sharp guy and the things he showed me, I think when we get him back he can continue to progress and get to where we need him to be.”

Vasquez anticipates that he’ll make his Chargers debut Saturday night when the team travels to Arizona for a preseason matchup with the Cardinals.