TEMPE, Ariz. — Arizona Cardinals wide receiver and special teams player Sean Morey says he played with a concussion against the Chicago Bears last Sunday even though he has taken a lead role in raising awareness of head injuries.

"I just downplayed my symptoms and didn't communicate well enough with my training staff so they weren't able to do their job effectively," Morey said yesterday.

Morey hasn't practiced this week because of the concussion. He said he convinced himself that the head injury — sustained in a game against Carolina — was connected to his flu symptoms and acknowledges that maybe it was "wishful thinking" on his part.

Last month, Morey was named co-chair of the NFL Players Association concussion and traumatic brain injury committee.

Morey, who came down with the flu the day after the Carolina game, said he didn't think it was a mistake to play against the Bears.

"I think my flu symptoms complicated the situation," he said, "and I felt like if I could go out and play with better technique, use my hands and limit the helmet-to-helmet contact, then I'd be able to play through it."

CHARGERS

CENTER HARDWICK NOT READY TO RETURN

Center Nick Hardwick probably will have to wait at least another week to rejoin the San Diego Chargers.

After participating in part of practice Wednesday, the former Pro Bowler missed yesterday's practice because of a sore ankle, and coach Norv Turner says it's unlikely that he'll play Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles.

"You try to take it in stride," said Hardwick, who was hurt in the season opener and had ankle surgery.

Back at practice were running back LaDainian Tomlinson and tight end Antonio Gates. Each sat out Wednesday's workout, Tomlinson because of a hip bruise and Gates because of a sore foot.

Outside linebackers Shaun Phillips and Shawne Merriman didn't practice. Phillips leads the team in sacks with five and his readiness is of some concern, Turner said, because he also missed Wednesday's practice because of an ankle injury.

Merriman rolled his foot last week.

"I think he's all right," Turner said. "I think he's just a little bit sore, and it's probably good for him to not work today."

TITANS

WR UNLIKELY TO PLAY WITH INJURED BACK

Tennessee receiver Justin Gage has several broken transverse process bones in his lower back, and he is unlikely to play Sunday against Buffalo.

The receiver was injured when he fell to the ground after making a leaping catch to set up the go-ahead touchdown in last week's 34-27 win at San Francisco. He finished the game with a season-high 97 yards receiving. But Gage started hurting once the adrenaline wore off, and the Titans ran a variety of X-rays and CAT scans.

Coach Jeff Fisher said yesterday the tests revealed the multiple fractures. The injury does not involve any structure crucial to the spine. The receiver watched practice yesterday but was not available after.

SHORT SNAPS

Raiders: Oakland's ineptitude on offense has been a boon to four-time Pro Bowler Shane Lechler in his bid to break the NFL's single-season punting record. Lechler, who leads the NFL with a 52.3-yard average, is making his strongest bid yet to beat Sammy Baugh's 69-year-old record of 51.4 yards.

Seahawks: Seattle defensive back Roy Lewis says he is appealing a $5,000 fine from the league for a late hit. Lewis was docked for hitting Detroit's Derrick Williams out of bounds at the end of a kickoff return Sunday. Lance Laury was also fined $5,000 by the NFL for a late hit on the same play.