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The Carolina Panthers are not bringing back running backs coach Jim Skipper. He said he had a chance to join the Denver Broncos’ staff in a to-be-determined role.

Skipper said the Broncos’ brass wanted new coach John Fox -- who came over from Carolina -- to keep running backs Coach Eric Studesville, who did an admirable job as interim coach after Josh McDaniels was fired. Instead of going to Denver, Skipper said he will likely wait until next year for a job or retire. He was close with free agent Carolina running back DeAngelo Williams and Williams said Skipper’s future with the Panthers would play a role if he wanted to return.

Williams is also close to Fox and he could be interested in joining him. Fox likes to run the ball and he could be interested in pairing Williams with Knowshon Moreno.

Longtime Denver scout Cornell Green was named the AFC scout of the year by the Fritz Pollard Alliance. Green has been with Denver for 25 years.

The Chargers made a move at running back, but it wasn't the major pickup that expected by a team that needs a couple new running backs.

San Diego claimed Marcus Mason off of waivers from Washington. In nine games last season, Mason ran for 127 yards on 32 carries. He has a chance to make the roster. Still, expect San Diego to draft a running back in the early rounds.

The Colts cut starting left guard Ryan Lilja on Monday. I think he could be a good fit in Kansas City. The Chiefs are looking for offensive linemen and Lilja started his career in Kansas City and he is a Kansas City native.

Buffalo signed former Oakland tackle Cornell Green. The Raiders were going to try to replace Green, anyway.

Could Minnesota be interested in former Chargers star LaDainian Tomlinson?

• The Oakland Tribune wonders if LaDainian Tomlinson could end up in Oakland. The reasoning is that Tomlinson hasn’t had any action on the open market and the Raiders could use a veteran running back. Makes sense. Still, I‘d be surprised if Tomlinson made that move. He already said he wouldn’t.
• Denver may be challenged to sign Baltimore defensive lineman Dwan Edwards.
• ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting Oakland is visiting with Arizona backup tight end Anthony Becht.
• The uncertainty of this year’s restricted free agency could have a major impact on the Broncos’ offseason program.
• The Bills are visiting with Oakland tackle Cornell Green. The Raiders are trying to upgrade from Green.
• The man charged with killing Denver cornerback Darrent Williams is not going to testify at his trial.
• The National Football Post believes San Diego third-string quarterback Charlie Whitehurst could attract some attention in restricted free agency.
• Denver was interested in tackle Tony Pashos, but he signed with Cleveland.

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.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson

The Oakland Raiders look like they will be close to full strength for the first time this season on Sunday against visiting Kansas City.

Receiver Chaz Schilens, running back Darren McFadden, guard Robert Gallery and tackle Cornell Green all fully participated in practice Wednesday. Schilens has been out all season with a broken foot. Gallery has been out since Week 2 with a broken leg. McFadden has missed five weeks with a knee problem and Green has been out for several weeks.

Linebacker Ricky Brown (ankle) and defensive end Greg Ellis (knee and shoulder) did not practice.

For the Chiefs, receiver Chris Chambers (foot) and linebacker Mike Vrabel (hip) were both limited in practice.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson

• According to ESPN Stats & Information, three AFC West players are a part of the group tied with four false start penalties. They are Oakland’s Erik Pears and Cornell Green and Kansas City’s Brian Waters. Green is currently injured and has missed one game.
• The 1969 Kansas City Chiefs, who won Super Bowl IV, are being honored at the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame on Tuesday.
• The Kansas City Star cites Kolby Smith as a possible answer for the Chiefs’ horrid running game when he returns soon from an injury. Starter Larry Johnson is averaging 2.4 yards per carry.
• There is a chance Oakland will get receiver Chaz Schilens back from a broken foot on Sunday against Philadelphia. Schilens has been out for eight weeks. Schilens had a strong preseason and his presence could spark a weak offense.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson

The Raiders made some interesting personnel moves Tuesday.

The one official move the team made was cutting cornerback/return man Justin Miller. He was re-signed last week after being cut earlier in September.

The Raiders are also considering bringing back a familiar name by trying out tackle Langston Walker. He was cut by Buffalo recently. Walker signed with the Bills as a free agent from Oakland in 2007. Walker, 30, played for the Raiders from 2002-06.

The Oakland native is massive. He is 6-foot-6, 366 pounds. He may not be a perfect fit or the Raiders’ zone blocking offensive blocking scheme. But the beat-up Raiders may not be picky at this time. Left tackle Robert Gallery mending from a broken leg and right tackle Cornell Green is coming to be about for a few weeks with a calf injury.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson

• Former Oakland quarterback Rich Gannon reacts to his rift with the Raiders.
• Speaking of the Raiders, coach Tom Cable says his team is close to getting it together. I understand that Cable believes in staying positive. But we’ve heard this talk ever since he took over in Oakland. Coach, just show us, please. Sunday’s game at Houston is Cable’s 16th game as Oakland’s head coach, which equals a full season's worth. The Raiders are 5-10 under Cable. Again, show us the improvement and please stop telling us it is on the way.
• Lost in the report that Oakland defensive assistant Randy Hanson told police that Cable broke his jaw is the fact that Hanson’s attorney said that Oakland defensive backs have sought out Hanson for advice since he has been kept away from the team. It that is the case, it is another example of dysfunction in Oakland.
• Denver has allowed just 16 points in the first three games, which is one of the best starts in NFL history.
• ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on "SportsCenter" Tuesday that Dallas running back Felix Jones will likely miss the game against Denver on Sunday.
• The Chargers believe they are going to get rookie guard Louis Vasquez back on the field this week after he missed two games with a knee injury.
• The Chargers are suing former linebacker Steve Foley for owed bonus money.
• Oakland tackle Cornell Green is tied for the league lead with three false starts this season.

Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson

The Raiders officially ended high-priced receiver Javon Walker's season. He was put on the injured reserve. Walker has missed the past two games with an ankle injury.

It wouldn't be a shock that Oakland's next move involving Walker is to lease him. Walker, who signed a six-year, $55 million deal with Oakland in the spring, has been a major disappointment. He had just 15 catches this season before being hurt. Oakland could decide to cut ties with him in the offseason.

To take Walker's place on the roster, Oakland signed guard Dylan Gandy. He was cut by Denver in Oakland. He joins former Denver offensive lineman Cooper Carlisle and Cornell Green with the Raiders. The Raiders are in their second season using the zone-blocking scheme Denver has long used.

Meanwhile, the Raiders also waived Junius Coston, a guard they added to the 53-man roster last week, to promote defensive back Darrick Brown from the practice squad.