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Oakland coach Tom Cable said defensive tackle John Henderson will miss 3-6 weeks with a stress fracture in his foot. Cable said the injury could linger because of Henderson’s massive size. He is 6-foot-7, 335 pounds.

Henderson was signed this offseason to help Oakland’s run defense. It is ranked No. 31 in the NFL against the run after four games. It was 29th last season.

Oakland running back Darren McFadden didn’t practice because of a hamstring injury. McFadden is tied for third place in the NFL with 392 rushing yards. The Oakland Tribune doesn’t expect McFadden to be able to face the Chargers.

Because of injuries at linebacker, Trevor Scott is expected to move back from defensive end and start at linebacker, Matt Shaugnessy will take Scott’s place at defensive end.

• In San Diego, the strapped Chargers’ linebacking crew saw Brandon Siler (foot) not practice and Shawne Merriman (calf) was limited. The Chargers will need these two players against Oakland.

• In Kansas City, defensive end Tyson Jackson was limited with a knee injury. He has been out for three weeks.

• In Denver, running back Knowshon Moreno was limited and they hope he can return Sunday at Baltimore after missing two games with a hamstring injury. Denver needs its starter back. It is averaging 2.2 yards per carry.

• San Diego’s Philip Rivers and Denver quarterback Kyle Orton made ESPN.com’s MVP watch.

• Days after Orton called Tennessee Cortland Finnegan a cheap player, Finnegan invited the quarterback to town.

• The Raiders are trying to get motivated by former Chiefs and Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer once again.

• The Chargers released veteran defensive lineman Alfonso Boone.

» Weaknesses: Broncos (5/24) | Chiefs (5/25) | Raiders (5/26) | Chargers (5/27)

The Chargers’ run defense was a big problem in 2009. From my perspective, the defensive line was the culprit for this inability to consistently close down running lanes. What has changed so dramatically from a year ago to suggest that the problem has been corrected?

At defensive end, San Diego will start Luis Castillo and Jacques Cesaire. Castillo is the Chargers’ best defensive lineman, but you wouldn’t know it from watching him last year. Last season may have been his worst as a pro, which obviously is a concern. Plus, he no longer benefits from a strong supporting cast around him up front. But at his age, he should rebound.

My impression of Cesaire is that he was perfect as a third defensive end behind Castillo and Igor Olshansky, who now plays for Dallas. But he isn’t powerful enough and doesn’t have the size to do it for a high number of snaps for an extended stretch of games.

I like Alfonso Boone, but he’s best suited to be used as a third defensive end, as Cesaire was. Boone is a good athlete and has above average pass-rush skills for a 3-4 end, but he doesn’t have the makeup to handle double teams and the grind of the trenches for the long haul.

Ian Scott is penciled in as the starter on the nose, but he is ordinary on a good day. He can hold down the fort, but surely is not going to make anyone forget about Jamal Williams, who now resides with AFC West rival Denver.

San Diego did look to get a steal in the fifth round in nose tackle prospect Cam Thomas. He has quite a bit of ability to handle this role, but rarely do rookie nose tackles enter this league and make a big impact. Plus, there is a reason he lasted as long as he did in the draft, which is mostly because of inconsistent play.

The Chargers do have some big-bodied projects in Ogemdi Nwagbuo and Vaughn Martin. Neither player has been spectacular when they have seen the field, but there is some ability there. San Diego needs one of these two or Thomas to really exceed expectations in 2010.

Scratch a running back option off San Diego’s wish list.

Minnesota free agent running back Chester Taylor signed with Chicago on Friday. The Bears jumped on Taylor.

San Diego will likely look for two new running backs as they move on from the LaDainian Tomlinson era. Taylor was one of the better veteran options available in a weak class.

San Diego could turn to Thomas Jones, who was cut by the Jets. San Diego will also target the position in the draft.

Meanwhile, the Chargers have announced they are bringing back defensive lineman Alfonso Boone back with a two-year deal. He was a free agent. Boone is a rotational linemen, who was effective last season.

Denver

Potential unrestricted free agents: P Mitch Berger, S Vernon Fox, T Brandon Gorin, Nick Greisen, G Ben Hamilton, G Russ Hochstein, DE Vonnie Holliday, CB Ty Law, WR Brandon Lloyd

Potential restricted free agents: LB Elvis Dumervil, OL Chris Kuper, WR Brandon Marshall, QB Kyle Orton, TE Tony Scheffler, DT Le Kevin Smith

Franchise player: None.

What to expect: The Broncos’ restricted class is talented. That will be the focus. It has been reported that Marshall, Orton, Dumervil, Scheffler and Kuper will all get one-year tenders. Marshall very well could be traded. It wouldn’t be a shock if Dumervil gets some action on the restricted market. Miami could be interested.

Kansas City

Potential unrestricted free agents: OL Andy Alleman, S Mike Brown, WR Chris Chambers, WR Terrance Copper, TE Sean Ryan, C Wade Smith, LB Mike Vrabel, WR Bobby Wade

Potential restricted free agents: RB Jackie Battle, QB Brodie Croyle, LB Derrick Johnson, LB Corey Mays, OL Ikechuku Ndukwe, OL Rudy Niswanger, OL Ryan O'Callaghan, S Jarrad Page

Franchise player: None.

What to expect: The Chiefs are interested in keeping some of their unrestricted free agents. General manager Scott Pioli said at the combine the team has been in contact with several of their free agents. Chambers is the focus. The team is trying to keep him. Brown and Vrabel could also return with new deals.

Oakland

Potential unrestricted free agents: S Hiram Eugene, G Cornell Green, T Langston Walker, LB Sam Williams

Potential restricted free agents: LB Jon Alston, OL Khalif Barnes, LB Ricky Brown, LB Jon Condo, QB Charlie Frye, QB Bruce Gradkowski, LB Thomas Howard, RB Luke Lawton, OL Chris Morris, LB Kirk Morrison, CB Stanford Routt, RB Gary Russell

Franchise player: DE Richard Seymour.

What to expect: The Raiders franchised Seymour and signed kicker Sebastian Janikowski to a record deal, so they’ve already been busy. It will be interesting to see how they tender Howard and Morrison. The Raiders could use some new life at linebacker and this could be the start of it.

San Diego

Potential unrestricted free agents: DT Alfonso Boone, TE Brandon Manumaleuna, C Dennis Norman, WR Kassim Osgood. T Jon Runyan, DT Ian Scott, TE Kris Wilson

Potential restricted free agents: OL Jeromey Clary, LB Tim Dobbins, WR Malcom Floyd, DT Antonio Garay, OL Eric Ghiaciuc, LB Marques Harris, WR Vincent Jackson, DT Travis Johnson, OL Marcus McNeill, LB Shawne Merriman, RB Darren Sproles, QB Charlie Whitehurst

Franchise player: None

What to expect: The Chargers have their hands full. It’s been reported they will give high tenders to Jackson, Merriman, McNeill and Floyd. Jackson and McNeill could still attract some interest on the restricted market. Sproles is not expected to be tendered, making him a free agent. The Chargers want him back. But if Sproles hits the open market, the multifaceted weapon could be scooped up quickly.

» AFC Free Agency: East | West | North | South » NFC: East | West | North | South

An early look at the free-agent situation in the AFC West.

Note: These projected lists reflect notable unrestricted free agents for each team. The NFL will not issue an official list of free agents until the signing period begins March 5.

Denver Broncos

Unrestricted free agents: P Mitch Berger, S Vernon Fox, T Brandon Gorin, Nick Greisen, G Ben Hamilton, G Russ Hochstein, DE Vonnie Holliday, CB Ty Law, WR Brandon Lloyd.

Key figures: There isn’t much here. The team could bring back Hochstein, Holliday and Law, but they are all complementary pieces. It’s all about the restricted free-agent class in Denver. The Broncos have to figure out what they are going to do with receiver Brandon Marshall, defensive end Elvis Dumervil, quarterback Kyle Orton and tight end Tony Scheffler.

Kansas City Chiefs

Unrestricted free agents: S Mike Brown, WR Chris Chambers, WR Terrance Copper, TE Sean Ryan, C Wade Smith, LB Mike Vrabel, WR Bobby Wade,

Key figures: Chambers will be Kansas City's priority. He gave the Chiefs’ offense a big spark after he was claimed off waivers in November. The team’s brass really likes what Brown and Vrabel bring to the team and both could be back in Kansas City at the right price. Wade also could be brought back.

Oakland Raiders

Unrestricted free agents: Hiram Eugene, G Cornell Green, K Sebastian Janikowski, DE Richard Seymour, T Langston Walker, LB Sam Williams

Key figures: It’s all about Seymour and Janikowski. The Raiders are trying to get long-term deals with both players done. If new deals aren’t struck, watch for Oakland to put the franchise and transition tags on them. Oakland will do anything it can not to lose either player.

San Diego Chargers

Unrestricted free agents: DT Alfonso Boone, TE Brandon Manumaleuna, C Dennis Norman, WR Kassim Osgood. T Jon Runyan, DT Ian Scott, TE Kris Wilson

Key figures: The team would like to bring back Osgood, one of the best special-teams players in the NFL. But Osgood wants a chance to be a receiver and the opportunity might not be in San Diego. The Chargers will spend most of their energy on their restricted class. The priorities are receiver Vincent Jackson, tackle Marcus McNeill, linebacker Shawne Merriman, running back Darren Sproles and receiver Malcom Floyd.

SAN DIEGO -- San Diego linebacker Shawne Merriman is active and he is expected to start against Kansas City. He didn’t practice all week with a foot injury.

Kansas City linebacker Mike Vrabel is inactive with a knee injury. He will be replaced by Andy Studebaker, who had two interceptions and a half sack in the Chiefs’ upset over Pittsburgh last week.

San Diego defensive lineman Luis Castillo is not active. He suffered a calf injury at Denver. Alfonso Boone will start in his place.

Brandon Siler will start ahead of Kevin Burnett at linebacker.

San Diego center Nick Hardwick is inactive for the 10th straight game with an ankle injury. He practiced in a limited basis last week.

New San Diego right tackle Jon Runyan is inactive. He probably won’t be ready to play until two weeks from now at Dallas.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson

Kansas City is heading into the practice week with four quarterbacks on the roster even with Matt Cassel healthy. The backups are Brodie Croyle, Tyler Thigpen and Matt Gutierrez. Carrying four quarterbacks is a rarity in the NFL. But if there is an injury elsewhere, Thigpen could be decent trade bait. So, the Chiefs may want to keep the three backups for awhile.

To make room for defensive tackle Alfonso Boone, the team released defensive end Andre Coleman, who has been bouncing back and forth from the practice squad to the 53-man roster.

The Chargers announced they have 2,500 tickets to sell by Thursday’s deadline to avoid a local television blackout for Sunday’s game against visiting Miami.

Former Denver running back Ryan Torain is healthy and ready to sign elsewhere. Several teams have expressed interest in Torain. He was cut by Denver after spraining his knee. He has had three significant injuries in the past year.

Veteran tackle Jon Runyan remains unsigned. He tried out with the Chiefs two weeks ago.

The Shawne Merriman-Chad Ochocinco Twitter spat has continued. They two went at it Twitter style during the summer. The Chargers and Bengals play Dec.20.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson

• San Diego coach Norv Turner warns that his team may not be as good quite yet as everyone expects them to be. The Chargers will have to adjust to several injuries.
• The Raiders are adjusting to playing up to six weeks without guard Robert Gallery, who has a broken fibula.
• The Chiefs worked out cornerback/return man Justin Miller on Friday
• Before agreeing to terms with San Diego on Monday, defensive tackle Alfonso Boone considered signing with Carolina. But Boone was excited about playing for San Diego defensive coordinator Ron Rivera, who he played for in Chicago.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson

The San Diego Chargers are beginning the process of reinforcing the middle of their defensive line in the aftermath of Jamal Williams being lost for the season with a triceps injury.

According to a league source, the Chargers are expected to sign veteran Alfonso Boone to help play in the rotation at tackle. Boone was last with Kansas City and started parts of the past two seasons.

Boone’s connection to the Chargers is he played for defensive coordinator Ron Rivera in Chicago. Boone, 33, is not expected to start, but give the team depth as it adjusts to playing without Williams.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson

The Chiefs’ cut down to the league mandated 75-man roster Tuesday couldn’t have been any more newsworthy.

Usually, the cut down from 80 to 75 is filled with no-name free agents. Not the Chiefs’ list.

Kansas City cut veteran receiver Amani Toomer and defensive end Alfonso Boone. Toomer was signed in early August and Boone has been with the Chiefs the past two years and he was working with the first team defensive line at times this summer.

Kansas City also put receiver Devard Darling on the injured reserve after he suffered a serious knee injury Saturday against Seattle. Running back Kolby Smith was put on the reserve physically unable to perform list. He can be activated later in the season.

Rookie tackle Cameron Goldberg was also released. But he’s not the story Tuesday.

Toomer, a former standout for the Giants, was signed to bring leadership and maybe create a spark at receiver. Yet, by all accounts, he offered little on the field, so the Chiefs quickly ended that experiment.

His career is probably over. If the receiver-hungry Chiefs don't have room for Toomer, who'll turn 35 next week, not many teams likely will.

Boone’s release means the Chiefs must feel like their youngsters on the defensive front are ready to carry the load. Young players Tyson Jackson. Glenn Dorsey and Alex Magee are all going to play a lot.

Darling was going to be in the receiving rotation. The Chiefs were planning on scouring the waiver wire and free-agent list after the final 53-man rosters are announced and this will only make that a certainty. It looks like the newly-signed Ashley Lelie has a strong chance of making the team.

Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson

The Kansas City Chiefs took a step toward aiding a hemorrhaging defensive roster by signing former first-rounder Jason Babin.

The defensive end will likely play Sunday against visiting New Orleans. Babin was a first-round pick of Houston's in 2004. He was cut by Seattle earlier its season. Babin has had several workouts in the past several weeks.

Kansas City grabbed Babin in an emergency situation. Starting defensive end Turk McBride and backup Brian Johnston may have serious injuries and starter Tamba Hali may miss some time. Backup Alfonso Boone and recently signed Wallace Gilberry are expected to play a lot.

Babin will have to get a crash course in Kansas City's system. But he is experienced. He has played in 47 games and has started 22 games.

Meanwhile, the Chiefs added linebacker Kyle Shotwell to the practice squad. Since entering the league as an undrafted free agent from Cal Poly S.L.O., Shotwell has spent time on the practice squad or been in training camp with Oakland, Philadelphia, Indianapolis, Minnesota and Tampa Bay.

Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson

SAN DIEGO -- Here are some pre-game notes from the Chiefs-Chargers game:

It is 63 degrees, cloudy and very windy in San Diego. Kicking and punting could be an issue.

The Chiefs are playing without three defensive starters because of injuries. Defensive end Turk McBride, outside linebacker Derrick Johnson and cornerback Brandon Flowers are all inactive.

Alfonso Boone will start for McBride, Rocky Boiman for start for Johnson and Maurice Leggett will play for Flowers.

San Diego's Cletis Gordon will start in place of Antonio Cromartie at cornerback. Cromartie, who has not played well this season, has been dealing with a hip injury and is active. If Gordon plays well in the first game under new defensive coordinator Ron Rivera, perhaps he will play more.

Receiver Malcolm Floyd will start for Chris Chambers, who is dealing with a nagging ankle injury. Chambers is active.