EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The Jets need a bye in the worst way, with several players nursing injuries:

• DT Mike DeVito (sprained knee) didn't play Sunday.

• Rookie Kenrick Ellis replaced DeVito, making his first career start, but he didn't last long. He left in the first quarter with a sprained ankle. Ellis will have additional tests Monday, but it's not a high-ankle sprain, according to a source. Marcus Dixon ended up playing most of the game.

• LB David Harris sprained an ankle in the second quarter and returned in the third quarter. He said he didn't know the nature of the injury, but it doesn't appear serious. He left the stadium without a walking boot, showing only a slight limp.

• RB Shonn Greene hurt his right foot in the fourth quarter (he called it a "tweak"), but he returned almost immediately.

LINEBACKER SHUFFLE: The Jets started their third-string strong-side outside linebacker. Jamaal Westerman, who replaced Bryan Thomas (torn Achilles' tendon), was benched in favor of Josh Mauga. When Harris went out, Mauga slide inside, with Westerman on the outside.

FLAG DAY: The teams combined for a ridiculous 21 penalties for 155 yards. The Chargers were flagged 13 times for 95 yards, the Jets eight for 60.

This has become a troubling trend for the Jets. After no penalties in the opener, they have 45 over the last six games -- an average of more than seven per game. Maybe it's time to bring back the penalty push-ups. The most shocking development: C Nick Mangold morphed into Antonio Cromartie, committing three penalties for 25 yards. Mangold had no penalties in the first six games.

A breakdown of Sunday's calls against the Jets:

RG Brandon Moore -- false start (five yards).
C Nick Mangold -- holding (10), ineligible downfield (5), holding (10)
CB Antonio Cromartie -- holding (declined).
S Jim Leonhard -- pass interference (7)
CB Donald Strickland -- illegal block (8)
CB Ellis Lankster -- holding (10)
Unidentified -- illegal formation (5)

'MAYHEM' STRIKES AGAIN: Former Bills bust Aaron Maybin recorded his third sack, tying Calvin Pace for the team lead. This is crazy. Here's a guy who had no sacks in two washout seasons with the Bills.

KERLEY'S CUE: Rookie WR Jeremy Kerley, who replaced the exiled Derrick Mason three games ago, enjoyed his best clutch performance. He caught a career-high four passes for 29 yards, including three catches on third down.

K-DUB'S MILESTONE: CB Kyle Wilson made his first career interception, picking off Philip Rivers in the fourth quarter and sealing the win. Said Wilson: "I was hoping to get to the end zone, trying to be like Rev (Darrelle Revis) over here ... It was special. I'm not going to say it wasn't."

ODDS AND ENDS: LaDainian Tomlinson (602) became the fourth back in NFL history to record 600 receptions, joining Larry Centers (827), Marshall Faulk (767) and Keith Byars (610) ... WR Plaxico Burress recorded his first three-TD game since Sept. 9, 2007, when he played for the Giants and scored three times against the Cowboys ... RB Shonn Greene notched the fifth 100-yard rushing performance of his career ... PK Nick Folk is 10-for-10 in field goals.