San Diego running back Darren Sproles could be on the run once again against New England on Sunday.

AP / Tom Strattman

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Rodney Harrison ticks off the names: Chambers. Jackson. Sproles. Tomlinson.

The Patriots safety has been asked about Antonio Gates, San Diego’s standout tight end, but notes that while he believes Gates is the best in the NFL at his position, he’s not the only offensive player the New England defense has to be wary of on Sunday.

Chris Chambers, the receiver the Chargers acquired last season, has added a veteran presence; Vincent Jackson has become a favorite target for quarterback Philip Rivers, and running back Darren Sproles is a dangerous backup to LaDainian Tomlinson.

Then there’s Rivers, who has grown by leaps and bounds and has gained the respect of the Patriots for his play in the AFC title game last January despite a torn ACL.

Rivers’ development, coupled with some lingering injury issues for Tomlinson (he missed Wednesday’s practice and was limited yesterday because of a hyperextended toe), has meant the Chargers’ offense has been more balanced this season.

“It seems like it,” Harrison said. “Very unpredictable. They can run the ball, they can pass the ball, they have the best tight end in the league in Gates. Philip, he’s playing with a lot of confidence, and their record [2-3] is very deceiving. This is the same team that started out 1-3 last year and ended up in the AFC Championship (Game), so you can’t take them lightly.”

New England’s defense was improved in last week’s win over the 49ers, holding San Francisco to one third-down conversion in nine attempts, keeping quarterback J.T. O’Sullivan on the run and shutting down All-Pro running back Frank Gore.

The Pats will need of the same if they are to be successful this week, starting with stopping the run.

“That’s one thing we wanted to improve on, and I think going forward we want to stay headed in the right direction,” Vince Wilfork said. “I think last week against a good football team in San Francisco, I think we did a pretty good job. It wasn’t great, by any means, but it’s improvement, and we can go forward with that. With Sproles and LaDainian, they’re pretty tough. Like I say, they can run, they can catch and they can block, and I think [the Chargers] have one of the best offenses in the National Football League, so we have to take care of our job and do it well.”

“You have to stop the run,” Harrison added. “You cannot allow a team to have the ability to run as well as pass the ball. I think our mentality is to come out and just stay solid in the run game and not give up big plays in the passing game.”

In the last two weeks, San Diego has managed just 298 total passing yards, in a win against Oakland and a loss to Miami. The run game carried the day against the Raiders, with 141 yards, but against the Dolphins the Chargers totaled just 60 yards on the ground.

Ellis Hobbs believes San Diego tries to impose its will offensively.

“I think they’re balanced when they need to be. I think they throw the ball when they want to, they run the ball when they want to. At the same time, I don’t think they let the defense dictate what they’re going to try to do,” he said. “They try to go out there and establish the run or the pass game.”

While Tomlinson’s status remains unclear, and his effectiveness could be limited, the Pats’ players aren’t going to spend less time preparing for the running back, who totaled 217 yards against New England in 2002.

“I believe he’s battling an injury, but he’s still the running back that everybody knows is one of the best that’s out there,” Wilfork said.

“You know what,” Mike Vrabel said. “I’ve seen him spin and get to the outside and get to the corner on Oakland and run 50 yards for a touchdown. If he’s playing possum, he’s doing a pretty good job of it. He’s a great back.”

With San Diego trying to get to .500 for the season, riding a seven-game win streak in prime time home games and facing the club that has knocked them out of the playoffs each of the last two years, Wilfork knows it will be a hard-fought game.

“I think they’re going to come out with some fire,” he said. “We’re expecting everything from them. We’re expecting a hard-fought football game. I know they’re going to be ready, and our plan is to be ready, also, on Sunday.”

smanza@projo.com