Agent: San Diego skirting rules

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The agent for the San Diego Chargers' Nate Kaeding says the team is skirting NFL rules in hopes of avoiding having to pay out $1.2 million in termination pay to the veteran kicker.

Kaeding, one of the most accurate kickers in NFL history, was placed on injured reserve Oct. 22 with the expectation he would be released when healthy. He kicked in the Chargers' first three games this season before injuring his groin Sept. 28. The Chargers signed kicker Nick Novak, who is the only active kicker currently on the team.

On Friday, agent Rick Smith said Kaeding showed up at the Chargers' facility, where he kicked for trainers, showing them he was healthy. Instead of releasing him, Smith says the Chargers want Kaeding to see their team doctor.

That would stall any action on Kaeding's status, and Smith says the delay will allow the team to place Kaeding on waivers next Tuesday, the first day vested veteran players can be placed on waivers. If another team picks up Kaeding off waivers, the Chargers would not have to pay him the $1.2 million.

Smith says that by NFL rules, the team must release Kaeding now, especially since he signed documents Friday, attesting that he's healthy.

Kaeding is in his ninth NFL season. Last year he injured his left ACL while trying to make a tackle on the season-opening kickoff. Kaeding has made 180-of-207 field-goal attempts (87 percent) during the regular season. He made all seven field-goal attempts this season.

While Kaeding has performed well during the regular season, he's struggled in the playoffs.

Kaeding might be best known in San Diego for missing three field goals in a home playoff loss to the New York Jets in January 2010, the Chargers' last postseason appearance. He was also wide right on a 40-yard attempt in overtime that would have beaten the Jets in a playoff game after the 2004 season.

Kaeding is just 8 of 15 (53.3 percent) on field goal tries in eight playoff games.

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Adam Schefter

NFL

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• Joined ESPN in 2009
• Former president of the Pro Football Writers of America and the author of four books