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SAN DIEGO -- San Diego superstar tight end Antonio Gates will not play Monday night against Denver. It was determined he was unable to play effectively because of a foot injury.

It is the second straight game Gates will miss after playing in 94 straight games.

Mike Tolbert is expected to start at running back for San Diego. As expected, rookie running back Ryan Mathews is out with an ankle injury. He didn’t practice all week. Both Tolbert and Mathews have 382 rushing yards.

Receiver Legedu Naanee remains out with a hamstring injury. Patrick Crayton takes his place. Current No. 1 receiver Malcom Floyd is returning after missing several games with a hamstring injury.

Because of the injuries at tight end and running back, San Diego has signed Korry Sperry (tight end) and Curtis Brinkley (running back) off the practice squad. Both players are active Monday night. Backup tight end Kris Wilson is also inactive, so expect to see a lot of Randy McMichael in both phases of the offense.

For Denver, cornerback Andre Goodman (hip) is out as is linebacker Robert Ayers (foot). Ayers may be getting close to playing. Denver running back Laurence Maroney is inactive for the second straight game. He was acquired from New England in September for a fourth-round pick.

Because of a recent San Diego State game, there are big patches of rough grass at heading toward the East end zone.

• Meanwhile, in other AFC West-related news, Oakland coach Tom Cable confirmed that starting defensive end Trevor Scott did tear the ACL in his knee and he is out for the season, as expected. He was hurt on a special teams play Sunday in a 35-3 loss at Pittsburgh.

• The Buffalo Bills are unsure if linebacker Shawne Merriman will play the rest of the season because of an injury. Sound familiar, Chargers’ fans? Buffalo claimed him off waivers last month. He was cut in San Diego because he couldn’t stay healthy. Merriman is a free agent at the end of the season.

Catching up on some late afternoon AFC West notes:

San Diego right tackle Louis Vasquez is expected to miss at least two weeks with a MCL sprain.

While the Chargers will miss the talented second-year player, it could have been worse. Vasquez was taken off the field on a cart in San Diego’s loss at Seattle on Sunday. But Vasquez will not need surgery and he should be back by mid-October. Tyrone Green is expected to start for Vasquez.

After making comments about his new teammates not paying attention to coaching, San Diego receiver Patrick Crayton received a lecture from coach Norv Turner.

San Diego linebacker Shawne Merriman remains optimistic he can make a positive contribution despite another injury scare.

Legendary former Raiders’ quarterback/kicker George Blanda was the first pick in the first known fantasy football league way back in 1963. Blanda died Monday at the age of 83.

Current Oakland kicker Sebastian Janikowski discussed his relationship with Blanda and his costly missed field goal in Arizona on Sunday.

Kansas City defensive lineman Shaun Smith is gaining a reputation for being, well, being overly aggressive.

Former Denver receiver Brandon Stokley has signed with Seattle. Denver cut him earlier this month.

With San Diego giving running back Darren Sproles the high tender, I truly don’t expect much free-agent action right away from the AFC West.

Had Sproles gone to free agency, I wouldn’t have been surprised if he was snatched up early in the process.

Now, that Sproles is essentially off the market, I don’t expect any major movement. The unrestricted free agent class from the AFC West is not very strong.

I think the only big-name who could leave the division soon is Denver receiver Brandon Marshall. Denver put the first-round tender on Marshall. He is priced to move. I could see Denver agreeing to trade Marshall fairly soon.

All of the big-name restricted free agents likely won’t leave the division because of their tenders.

San Diego did its best to keep this core. In addition to Sproles, receivers Vincent Jackson and Malcom Floyd, left tackle Marcus McNeill and linebacker Shawne Merriman all received the high tenders.

Its clear San Diego is continuing is trend of taking care of this own free agents. The Chargers’ Super Bowl window is still open and keeping their players means the Chargers believe they are close.

So, don’t expect a whole lot of more action from San Diego.

It is interesting that Sproles was planning to visit Kansas City before he was tendered. Perhaps it is a sign that the Chiefs will be active this year after sitting on the free-agency sidelines last year.

We’ll see what happens shortly.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson

The San Diego Chargers’ participation report got somewhat better Thursday, but it is still not great for the team as it heads into a pivotal game Sunday against visiting Miami.

Star running back LaDainian Tomlinson and linebacker Shawne Merriman (groin) both did not practice for the second straight day. Guard Louis Vasquez (knee) didn’t practice again, either. Both Tomlinson and Vasquez missed the Chargers' 31-26 loss to Baltimore on Sunday.

It wouldn’t be a shock if Tomlinson and Vasquez both sat out this Sunday as well. You would think they would be getting some type of work by now. Merriman said Sunday that he thought he would play against the Dolphins. His case may be a matter of rest.

Safety Eric Weddle, left tackle Marcus McNeill and Kris Dielman all returned to practice Thursday after missing Wednesday’s session with an illness.