The Associated Press

SAN DIEGO - Hoping for a glimpse at a much better future, the San Diego Chargers will get their first in-game look at quarterback Philip Rivers in today's exhibition against the Seattle Seahawks.

Rivers, who missed 29 practices and two preseason contests in a contract dispute, will take the field in the second quarter and play into the third period in relief of starter Drew Brees.

Although the rust has shown, Rivers' practices since signing a deal Monday that guarantees him $14.5 million have been positive. But coach Marty Schottenheimer is eager to evaluate Rivers against a stout opponent.

"I think he's done about as well as might be expected," Schottenheimer said. "I'm anxious to see him play in a game, because that will be a much better barometer for us."

Brees has graded out well. In two games, he has completed 68 percent of his passes, with two touchdowns and an interception. But Schottenheimer isn't handing the starting job to Brees just yet.

There's still a chance Rivers could overtake Brees in time for the Sept. 12 opener in Houston, although it seems unlikely after his lengthy absence.

"I'm confident that I can catch up and get back to where I need to be," said Rivers, who worked for an extra 90 minutes after Thursday's practice. "But I got to know it can't happen in a day or two days.

"I'm going to prepare like I am going to take the snaps on Sept. 12, understanding I'm behind and have to get there. I'm not going to play (today) thinking I better complete every pass and throw a bunch of touchdowns and make huge plays to get back to where I want to be."

In the Seahawks, the Chargers will face a 2003 playoff team.

"There're a team a lot of people consider to be a very, very legitimate playoff contender, and it will be interesting to see how we match up against them, because I view them as one of the better teams of the NFC," Schottenheimer said. "Their young quarterback (Matt Hasselbeck) has done a terrific job for them. They have good young players, they've drafted well and it'll be a pretty good litmus test for us."

The Chargers' offensive regulars figure to play a good portion of the first half. That includes star running back LaDainian Tomlinson, who will make his preseason debut.

"I'm anxious because it's the first one, and I'm excited to get back on the field and be able to run around a little bit," said Tomlinson, who rushed for 1,645 yards and caught 100 passes last year, something no one else has achieved in the NFL.

PATRIOTS: Veteran wide receiver J.J. Stokes was released. The 31-year-old was signed as a free agent March 3.

Last season, after being released by Jacksonville on Nov. 12, Stokes was signed by the Patriots. He appeared in two games and was released Dec. 9 but was re-signed Jan. 17, for the playoffs.

He played eight seasons with the 49ers, starting 66 of 111 games and catching 327 passes for 4,139 yards and 30 touchdowns.

RAIDERS: Charles Woodson, a four-time Pro Bowl pick at cornerback, confirmed Wednesday night he would end his holdout and be in camp with Oakland next week.

Woodson, who's entering his seventh pro season, reportedly was hoping to become the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL.

TEXANS: Houston placed inside linebacker Marcus Bell on injured reserve Wednesday because of a shoulder injury he suffered last weekend in a game at Pittsburgh.

Bell, 27, made a strong impression through training camp and was in the running for a backup job after sitting out the 2003 season.

HALL OF FAME: Two of the NFL's oldest old-timers will be on the ballot for the Pro Football Hall of Fame next year.

Benny Friedman and Fritz Pollard, who played in the 1920s and 1930s, were chosen by a panel of Hall of Fame voters as the senior candidates to join 13 modern-era finalists for selection to the Hall's class of 2005. From three to six nominees will be chosen from that group of 15 in voting to be held in Jacksonville Feb. 5.

Pollard is best known for being the league's first black head coach; he was made co-coach while playing for the Akron Pros in 1921. There wasn't another black coach in the league until Art Shell took over the Raiders in 1989.

Friedman, a quarterback, played for the Cleveland Bulldogs, Detroit Wolverines, New York Giants and Brooklyn Dodgers between 1932 and 1934.

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