SAN DIEGO - Drew Brees is back as the Chargers' starting quarterback and Doug Flutie is back on the bench.
Brees regained his job Friday, a move that was expected though the 41-year-old Flutie led the last-place Chargers to two-thirds of their wins this year.
Brees, a third-year pro, had not played since getting yanked in the second half of a loss at Chicago on Nov.2. Flutie led the Chargers (3-10) to two wins in the next five starts, including Sunday's 14-7 win at Detroit.
But coach Marty Schottenheimer named Brees to start at home against the Packers.
In the three games before he was benched, Brees threw five interceptions and zero touchdowns. He has 12 interceptions and seven TDs this season, and his passer rating dropped to 63.3, second-worst in the AFC.
CLARETT CASE: Maurice Clarett's lawyers contended the NFL bars teenagers from playing pro football to perpetuate a free farm system for the league. The lawyers asked U.S. District Judge Shira Scheindlin to allow Ohio State's suspended tailback to enter next year's draft. Clarett sued the league this year, challenging the rule that a player must be out of high school three years to be eligible for the draft. Clarett's lawyers said in court papers the NFL supports the NCAA college football system to save the league tens of millions in development and training.
DOLPHINS: Quarterback Jay Fiedler practiced despite lingering soreness in his left knee and is expected to start Monday night against Philadelphia.
PATRIOTS: Punter Ken Walter was re-signed. Walter was cut Dec.2, two days after averaging 27.3 yards on three kicks in a 38-34 win at Indianapolis, his second-worst game with the Patriots. At the time, he ranked last in the league with an average of 37.9 yards per kick.
TITANS: Quarterback Steve McNair(ankle) will be a game-time decision Sunday against Buffalo.
