SAN DIEGO — Safety Bob Sanders has agreed to a one-year deal with the San Diego Chargers, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Thursday night.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the Chargers hadn't announced the deal.
The team posted a story on its Web site saying it had signed the oft-injured Sanders. But spokesman Bill Johnston said that was premature and no announcement was planned Thursday night.
The person with knowledge of the deal said it wasn't clear when the 30-year-old Sanders can actually sign a contract, due to the status of labor talks. The NFL and its players' union decided Thursday to keep the current collective bargaining agreement in place for an additional 24 hours so that negotiations can continue.
Once he does sign, the Chargers hope to get the hard-hitting Sanders, not the one who has missed 64 games — the equivalent of four full seasons — due to injuries in his seven-year career. He has played in only 48 regular-season games.
Sanders tore his right bicep on the first defensive series in the 2010 season opener and did not play again.
After winning the 2007 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2007, Sanders signed a five-year, $37.5 million contract but played in only nine regular-season games during the next three seasons.