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Wide receivers Vincent Jackson, Pierre Garcon, Reggie Wayne, Robert Meachem, Eddie Royal, Laurent Robinson, Josh Morgan, Eric Weems and Harry Douglas have found new homes after hitting the NFL's free-agent market.

Franchise tags essentially removed from consideration Dwayne Bowe, Wes Welker and DeSean Jackson.

Others, such as Marques Colston, re-signed before free agency.

Teams still searching for help at the position -- that would be pretty much everyone but Seattle in the NFC West -- are left with a picked-over group of free agents.

Jerome Simpson, Burress, Brandon Lloyd, Legedu Naanee, Devin Aromashodu, Roy Williams, Mario Manningham and Early Doucet are the only ones remaining to have played at least half of their team's offensive snaps during the 2011 season.

As the chart shows, Burress was particularly effective in the red zone for the New York Jets. He converted first downs 38 times in 45 receptions for the third-highest percentage among wide receivers with at least 40 receptions, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

Burress is also up there in age. He's among 12 available wideouts already in their 30s: Hines Ward (36), Burress (34), T.J. Houshmandzadeh (34), Kevin Curtis (33), Patrick Crayton (32), Deion Branch (32), Rashied Davis (32), Donte Stallworth (31), Jerheme Urban (31), Bryant Johnson (31), Lloyd (30) and Williams (30).

Of them, Lloyd has visited the San Francisco 49ers.

Nine more are 29 years old: Greg Camarillo, Keary Colbert, Mark Clayton, Jerricho Cotchery, Roscoe Parrish, Michael Clayton, Courtney Roby, Michael Spurlock and Braylon Edwards.

Still interested?

OK, let's check out 18 others, all younger than 29: David Anderson, Legedu Naanee, Devin Aroshamodu, Donnie Avery, Anthony Gonzalez, Maurice Stovall, Derek Hagan, Mike Sims-Walker, Ted Ginn Jr., Andre Caldwell, Steve Smith, Doucet, Brett Swain, Chaz Schilens, Simpson, Manningham, Devin Thomas and Kevin Ogletree.

Schilens visited Arizona and San Francisco. Manningham visited the 49ers and the St. Louis Rams.

I've also broken down the available wideouts by drafted round:

• First: Williams, Burress, Ginn, Stallworth, both Claytons, Johnson, Gonzalez and Edwards
• Second: Avery, Thomas, Simpson, Smith, Parrish, Branch, Colbert
• Third: Roby, Doucet, Hagan, Stovall, Manningham, Caldwell, Curtis, Sims-Walker, Ward
• Fourth: Cotchery, Lloyd
• Fifth: Legedu Naanee
• Sixth: none
• Seventh: Houshmandzadeh, Crayton, Schilens, Aromashodu, Anderson, Swain
• Undrafted: Davis, Urban, Camarillo, Spurlock, Ogletree

Only a handful of the available receivers project as starters. None would qualify as an outright game-breaker.

The Rams in particular need playmakers, but in looking at what is available, how many would qualify as dramatically better than what they already have? Austin Pettis, Brandon Gibson, Danario Alexander, Dominique Curry, Greg Salas and restricted free agent Danny Amendola are their current wideouts.

NFL free agency begins Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET. Here is the complete list of unrestricted free agents for each team in the division:

Denver Broncos: S Brian Dawkins, DT Brodrick Bunkley, LB Mario Haggan, TE Daniel Fells, DE Derrick Harvey, OL Russ Hochstein, DE Jason Hunter, FB Spencer Larsen, LB Joe Mays, DT Ryan McBean, QB Brady Quinn, WR Eddie Royal, DT Marcus Thomas, TE Dante Rosario, CB Jonathan Wilhite, WR Matthew Willis , LB Wesley Woodyard, G Manny Ramirez.

Kansas City Chiefs: RB Jackie Battle, LB Jovan Belcher, CB Brandon Carr, S Jon McGraw, QB Kyle Orton, DB Travis Daniels, DE Wallace Gilberry, DL Amon Gordon, NT Kelly Gregg, S Reshard Langford, FB Le’Ron McClain, TE Anthony Becht, RB Thomas Jones, OT Ryan O’Callaghan, TE Jake O’Connell, QB Tyler Palko, S Sabby Piscitelli, TE Leonard Pope, OT Barry Richardson, WR Jerheme Urban, C Casey Wiegmann.

Oakland Raiders: DL Desmond Bryant, RB Michael Bush, LB Quentin Groves, OT Stephon Heyer, QB Jason Campbell, DB Bryan McCann, DE Jarvis Moss, C Samson Satele, WR Chaz Schilens, DL Trevor Scott.

San Diego Chargers: WR Vincent Jackson, G Nick Hardwick, OT Jared Gaither, RB Mike Tolbert, RB Jacob Hester, NG Antonio Garay, SS Steve Gregory, DL Tommie Harris, ILB Na'il Diggs, OLB Everette Brown, SS Bob Sanders, SS Paul Oliver, WR Patrick Crayton, OG Tony Moll TE Randy McMichael, ILB Stephen Cooper.

SAN DIEGO — Notes from early in the second quarter, where the Raiders lead 7-3:

First-year Oakland coach Hue Jackson has earned a reputation as being one of the trickiest coaches in the NFL in the first half of the season. Among the tricks he pulled out was a fake punt in which Shane Lechler hit tight end Kevin Boss for a touchdown Oct. 16 against Cleveland.

Thursday, on fourth-and-1 from inside Chargers territory, Lechler – the Raiders’ emergency quarterback — tried to hit Jacoby Ford, but the pass fell incomplete. San Diego’s Quentin Jammer was all over Ford, but officials ruled that there was no pass interference because there cannot be pass interference on the widest receiver on punt formations.

Oakland running Michael Bush – starting his second consecutive game for the injured Darren McFadden – had a strong first quarter. He had 78 yards on 13 carries as Oakland handled the Chargers’ defense pretty easily.

The Chargers’ red-zone issues bit them again on their first drive. They scooted inside the Raiders’ 20-yard line before making some mistakes and settling for a short Nick Novak field goal.

The Raiders need to shore up their punt defense. Sunday, Denver’s Eddie Royal returned one back for a touchdown. In the first quarter, San Diego rookie Marcus Gilchrist took a lateral from Patrick Crayton and went 40 yards into Oakland territory.

For the second consecutive game, the Chargers are getting booed in their own stadium. There is a solid number of Oakland fans here, although not nearly the amount of Green Bay fans who attended Sunday’s game.

Oakland receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey and tight end Boss played early in the game after barely seeing the field against Denver. Jackson simply said the two were not a big part of that particular game plan.

SAN DIEGO -- Form held here in the first quarter at Qualcomm Stadium.

The Green Bay Packers, who entered this game against the San Diego Chargers one off the NFL high with 13 interceptions, have already returned two for touchdowns against the San Diego Chargers. They were the 12th and 13th interceptions of the season for Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers.

Safety Charlie Peprah had the first, a 40-yard return in which he broke four tackles along the way, at least by my count. The second was a bit smoother: Cornerback Tramon Williams anticipated a Rivers pass to receiver Patrick Crayton and took it back 43 yards untouched for the touchdown.

It's 21-7 here as the second quarter begins. The Packers have given up 107 passing yards, but their interceptions have more than compensated. The Packers offense has had only one possession. It ended with Aaron Rodgers' 5-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jermichael Finley.

SAN DIEGO -- The San Diego Chargers have continued to play sloppy on offense.

But, it has yet to hurt them Sunday against Kansas City. The Chargers lead the Chiefs, 7-0, midway through the second quarter.

San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers (who committed three of San Diego’s four turnovers last week) has been intercepted and has fumbled. The Chargers recovered the fumble. San Diego receiver Patrick Crayton also fumbled, but he recovered it.

In fairness to Rivers, the Chiefs probably should have been called for pass interference on the ball that was intercepted. Kansas City safety Kendrick Lewis returned it deep into San Diego territory. But the Chiefs’ Ryan Succop missed a 38-yard field goal attempt to nullify the big defensive play.

So far, Kansas City has been turnover free. It committed a whopping nine turnovers in the first two games.

UPDATE: Rivers was just intercepted by Kansas City cornerback Brandon Flowers on a bomb attempt near the end zone. He returned it 41 yards to the Chargers’ 43. Rivers has never thrown three interceptions in one game.

SAN DIEGO -- San Diego Chargers third-year linebacker Larry English is inactive. He was not on the injury report all week, so at this point, it has to be assumed it is a coach’s decision. He was the No. 16 overall pick in 2009.

San Diego receiver Patrick Crayton (ankle) is inactive.

Rookie San Diego receiver Vincent Brown is out with a hamstring injury.

Rookie running back/returner Jordan Todman is inactive.

Veteran linebacker Na'il Diggs is inactive. He is learning the Chargers’ 3-4 system after signing last week. It may take a few weeks before he is ready to play.

SAN DIEGO -- If anything beneficial came out of the San Diego Chargers’ early-season stumbles in 2010, it was that the team that always seemed to be living dangerously had finally learned its lesson.

Starting slow can catch up to a team. In the three previous seasons under coach Norv Turner, the Chargers overcame slow starts with torrid finishes that resulted in AFC West championships. It didn’t happen last year. San Diego couldn’t overcome an early 2-5 hole and finished 9-7, allowing the upstart Kansas City Chiefs to steal the division title.

Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers said earlier in this abbreviated training camp that the Chargers must learn from last year’s disappointment and find a way to finally start fast.

Turner is all for starting fast, and he said one emphasis during camp is working to fix what has made the Chargers vulnerable in recent seasons. San Diego's offense has often been sloppy early on, committing too many turnovers. Last season, the Chargers committed 18 turnovers in their first seven games.

“We’ve played good football, but the turnovers hurt us,” Turner said. “When we didn’t turn the ball over, we’d win. That’s what we’re working on. I think the key is not talking about the slow starts, but working on the reason why we started slow.”

THREE HOT ISSUES

1. Getting special teams up to speed. The 2010 Chargers will be remembered for assembling perhaps the worst special-teams unit of all time. San Diego had the No. 1-ranked offense and No. 1-ranked defense in the NFL last year, yet it didn’t make the playoffs because of special teams, which cost the Chargers in every imaginable way. The Chargers have put a major emphasis on the unit during camp. Special-teams practice segments are long and spirited. New special-teams coach Rich Bisaccia is well-respected and determined to get his players on track.

“It is a major point of emphasis in this camp,” Turner said.

2. Get Ryan Mathews ready. This is a big camp for Mathews, the running back who was the No. 12 overall pick in 2010. He alarmed the team when he failed a conditioning test at the start of training camp. Teammates reportedly were surprised Mathews failed the test, and he admitted he should have worked out his legs more during the lockout. That is the last thing a team wants to hear from its rich 24-year-old tailback of the future. He is currently dealing with a minor leg injury that is expected to keep him out of the preseason opener against Seattle. Mathews had durability issues last year, although he flashed at times, and he must show during camp that he is ready to be a lead back and can stay healthy.

“Ryan has to get some carries,” Turner said. “We need to get him some work.”

Turner expects Mathews to continue to work in tandem with powerful veteran Mike Tolbert, who looks as fearsome as always. Tolbert is an underrated weapon. Look for him to see more action in all phases of the run game as Mathews tries to develop.

3. The veteran safeties. Oft-injured Bob Sanders looks good. It may be too much to ask for the former NFL Defensive Player of the Year to return to his peak form, considering he has played in nine games over the past three years, but Sanders looks primed to bounce back. He and fellow safety Eric Weddle, who last month signed a $40 million deal to stay in San Diego, seem to have a strong on-field connection. They should be fun to watch and should benefit from playing with each other.

“Bob has been amazing,” Weddle reports. “There’s no rust there.”

BIGGEST SURPRISE

The Chargers have their starting receivers together. That wasn’t expected.

The Chargers wanted to bring back No. 2 wideout Malcom Floyd, but they thought they would be outbid for Floyd's services. The market didn't develop as expected, though, so Floyd took a two-year deal that could be worth as much as $7 million to stay in San Diego.

That means the Chargers have No. 1 receiver Vincent Jackson (who held out for much of last season, and was given the franchise tag this year) and Floyd in the fold. Last year, because of a rash of injuries at the position, Rivers was throwing to street free agents at the end of the season. Having Jackson and Floyd at his disposal will be a treat for Rivers, who threw for 4,710 yards last season.

Add veteran Patrick Crayton and third-round possession receiver Vincent Brown, and the Chargers’ receiving corps is stronger than it was expected to be.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT

The Chargers couldn’t come to a contract agreement with inside linebacker Kevin Burnett. He was a priority for the team, but Burnett ended up being the one who got away from the Chargers, who otherwise enjoyed a strong free-agent period.

In the end, Burnett wanted more than San Diego was willing to offer, and he ended up signing with Miami.

Burnett had a good season for the Chargers in 2010, with 95 tackles and six sacks, and San Diego wanted him back as part of its 3-4 defense. Now a young player probably will be inserted opposite free-agent signee Takeo Spikes on the inside. Right now, 2010 draft pick Donald Butler (who missed all of his rookie year with an injury) is getting those repetitions with the first team. Second-round pick Jonas Mouton will have a chance to impress in the preseason too, and the Chargers could look for a veteran if the youngsters show they are not ready.

OBSERVATION DECK

• New defensive coordinator Greg Manusky -- who replaced Ron Rivera, now the head coach in Carolina -- lets his presence be known. He is a high-energy coach who is not afraid to bark instructions constantly. No need to worry about the San Diego defense falling flat after being ranked No. 1 in the NFL last year.
• Spikes has looked good. He is 34, but he played for Manusky in San Francisco last year and has Manusky's trust. Spikes has never played for a winner and seems energized by being part of this roster.
• Rookie free-agent quarterback Scott Tolzien has looked good in camp. The Wisconsin product is a smart player who may be a nice developmental prospect.
• The Chargers are not overly concerned about the foot injury hampering star tight end Antonio Gates, who started camp on the physically unable to perform list because of the plantar fascia injury that ended his 2010 season prematurely. The team will be cautious, and Gates is expected to be ready for the season.
• Louis Vasquez and Tyronne Green continue to vie for the right guard spot. Vasquez had been the starter, but Green proved to be a worthy injury replacement for Vasquez and now is hoping for more playing time.
• Sixth-round pick Jordan Todman is running the ball well. He could make a contribution as a rookie replacement for the departed Darren Sproles.
• Cornerback Antoine Cason is going to take over punt returns now that Sproles is gone.
• Defensive tackle Antonio Garay doesn’t look like a one-year wonder. He is having a strong camp after a huge season in 2010.
• The Chargers have loved what they've seen from rookie cornerback Marcus Gilchrist so far. He may have a chance to contribute.
• Last year, Chargers camp was dampened by the holdouts of Jackson and left tackle Marcus McNeill. This year, there is contract harmony after several players received new deals. It wouldn't surprise me to see Tolbert, Cason and center Nick Hardwick also get new deals in the next year.

SAN DIEGO -- I had a chance to catch up with San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers on Tuesday and we discussed several topics.

Here is a sampling:

Rivers is excited about the prospect of playing with starting receivers Vincent Jackson and Malcom Floyd and tight end Antonio Gates. Last year, the three played to together for a total of one quarter of a game. Jackson held out much of the season and Gates and Floyd were hurt late in the season. In 2009, those three players combined for 192 catches for 3,100 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns catches.

That is a lot of missed opportunities for Rivers. However, he still passed for a career-high 4,710 passing yards in 2010.

Rivers said he is thrilled to have his top receivers back, but the good part about last season was that several other players showed they can contribute to the offense, including receiver Patrick Crayton and tight end Randy McMichael.

Add veteran free-agent pickup Laurent Robinson and rookie receiver Vincent Brown, and Rivers likes what he sees.

“We have a lot of weapons,” Rivers said. “I have so many different guys who I can I can count on. It’s really going to be exciting.”

Meanwhile, Rivers complimented second-year running back Ryan Mathews for his development in camp. Mathews has been maligned for not showing up to camp in prime shape and he has continued to deal with nagging injuries. He will likely not play Thursday against Seattle as a precaution because of a minor leg injury.

However, Rivers said Mathews is making strides in all aspects of the game, including pass protection. Rivers said he believes Mathews will only improve as he takes more repetitions.

Rivers admits it didn’t break his heart to see star cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha leave Oakland and the AFC West to sign with Philadelphia. However, Rivers said he is impressed by Oakland cornerback Stanford Routt and Chris Johnson, who will likely replace Asomugha.

“Nnamdi is great, but Routt and Johnson can cover,” Rivers said. “Oakland had us covered as well as anyone in (Oakland’s 28-13 win at San Diego in December) … Those guys can play.”

Rivers has been impressed by rookie free-agent quarterback Scott Tolzien. Rivers said he knew the first day he saw Tolzien that Tolzien is more than camp fodder.

“He’s a pro,” Rivers said. “You can tell the kid can handle himself.”

If the Wisconsin product has a good preseason perhaps San Diego will add him on the active roster behind Rivers and Billy Volek.

Former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Patrick Crayton was never shy about speaking his mind. And last week, the Chargers receiver popped on "The Ben & Skin Show" on to 103.3 ESPN Radio to talk about a variety of topics, including the work of rookie Dez Bryant.

"They let him get away with a lot of stuff. A lot of stuff," Crayton said of Bryant. "Hopefully whoever they bring in as receivers coach, and they say [Jason] Garrett is a disciplinarian, won't let him get away with so much stuff. He'll get locked down and hopefully be the next Michael Irvin."

Crayton's not a fan of Garrett's, as you might have gathered from that little jab. But it's interesting what he said about Bryant, who was reportedly late to several meetings during the season and didn't exactly commit the playbook to memory. Former Cowboys scout Bryan Broaddus, who now works for 103.3, recently wondered aloud (on the air) whether Dallas might listen to trade offers for Bryant. ESPNDallas.com's Calvin Watkins posed that question to someone in the Cowboys' front office.

"I would think about it," said the source.

I think Bryant has way too much upside for the Cowboys to think about trading him, but it's interesting that someone at Valley Ranch is at least open to the possibility. Even if a team offered a top-15 draft pick for Bryant, are we convinced the Cowboys would turn two first-round picks into gold?

One look at this defense shows you how the Cowboys haven't exactly owned the first round of the draft. Cornerback Mike Jenkins is coming off an awful season, defensive end Marcus Spears is probably headed out the door via free agency and outside linebacker Anthony Spencer disappeared in 2010. On the other side of the ball, Felix Jones has not emerged as one of the top backs from his first-round class.

We've always known Bryant was a top-10 talent who slid in the draft because of character concerns, so let's not act like it's a huge surprise that he's not the first guy to arrive at every meeting. Garrett sent wide receivers coach Ray Sherman packing, in part, because he gained a reputation for coddling some of his more outspoken players. Now that Garrett's in charge, it's incumbent on him to make sure that Bryant continues to mature as a player and person.

It's not like this offense has enough firepower to consider trading a playmaker of Bryant's caliber.

In addition to tight end Antonio Gates and receiver Malcom Floyd, here are San Diego’s other inactive players for Thursday night’s game against San Francisco: Larry English, Patrick Crayton, Darrell Stuckey, Tyrone Carter, Louis Vasquez and Travis Johnson. English has a foot injury.

The biggest hits are the loss of Gates and Floyd, even though both have long been dealing with injuries. This is Gates’ fourth missed game in the past six games with a nagging foot injury. Randy McMichael will start for the Chargers.

The Rivers-Gates combination has resulted in 10 touchdowns and a passer rating of 143.1 this season, according to ESPN Stats & Information. Rivers has completed 77 percent of his passes to tight ends this season and he is averaging 11.5 yards per attempt.

Meanwhile, San Diego made some roster moves near the bottom of the roster that could affect the special teams unit, which has settled down and has played well in recent weeks.

Want another reason why the rest of the AFC West should worry about the San Diego Chargers, who have won three straight games and appear to be embarking on another late-season playoff run?

The return of Pro Bowl receiver Vincent Jackson. As expected, the Chargers officially activated Jackson to the roster Tuesday as the Chargers prepare for a pivotal game at Indianapolis on Sunday night. He has been on the roster-exemption list for the past three games after ending his holdout.

There has been speculation that San Diego would be reluctant to play Jackson because of hard feelings over his holdout and the fact that he will likely walk as a free agent after the season. Also, there has been speculation that Jackson may not be motivated to play at a high level because of his own hard feelings.

My expectations? San Diego, which has been depleted by injuries, will use Jackson often and he will be a professional and play with his usual strong work ethic. The word is Jackson has looked very good in recent practices. Tuesday, San Diego coach Norv Turner told reporters he expects Jackson to be a solid contributor.

Jackson’s pending return was not lost on his teammates Monday night after San Diego evened its record at 5-5 with a 35-14 win over Denver.

“We get Vincent back this week,” safety Eric Weddle said without prompting. “That’s only going to make us better.”

There’s no reason to think Jackson won’t start right away. His replacement as the No. 1 receiver, Malcom Floyd, aggravated a hamstring injury Monday night and could miss more time. No. 2 receiver Legedu Naanee still is being hampered by a hamstring injury that kept him out of several games and No. 4 receiver Patrick Crayton, who has been starting in Naanee’s place, has a wrist injury that could cost him a significant amount of time. Buster Davis, the team’s No. 3 receiver, was put on the injured reserve last month.

Tight end Antonio Gates has missed two games with a foot injury and there’s no guarantee he will return against the Colts, although the team is hopeful. The team is also hopeful rookie tailback Ryan Mathews will return from an ankle injury at Indianapolis, although expect backup Mike Tolbert to play significantly. He had 11 rushing yards against Denver.

The Chargers have survived the onslaught of injuries because of the special play of quarterback Philip Rivers. He has to be thrilled about the notion of getting Jackson back. Rivers and Jackson have been one of the NFL’s best long-play combinations. Rivers’ stance during Jackson’s holdout was always this: “I wish Vincent was here. We’d be a better team with him.” Now, the surging Chargers will get Rivers’ wish.

To make room for Jackson, San Diego cut kicker Kris Brown. He was on the roster while Nate Kaeding was dealing with a groin injury.

SAN DIEGO -- Showing he is more than just a pretty arm, San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers bolted for a key first down in the third quarter of the Chargers’ runaway victory over the back-in-the dumps Denver Broncos in a chilly Monday night game.

The man is almost on pace to throw for more yards than anyone in the history of man, but he showed he can do it all even though San Diego tight end Antonio Gates jokes that Rivers looks like he is runs “with boots on.” After the 9-yard chug on third-and-8, on cue, the astute San Diego crowd erupted into an “MVP” chant.

It has a point. Who‘s been better in 2010?

“I agree 100 percent with them,” San Diego right tackle Jeromey Clary said. “Philip is playing at a special level right now.”

Playing with a depleted offense, Rivers has thrown for 3,177 yards in 10 games. He didn’t have to show off in San Diego’s easy 35-14 win over Denver. He threw for just 233 yards because the game dictated it. But he made every yard count. Rivers completed 15 of 24 passes. Four of his completions went for touchdowns. It was Rivers’ second straight game with four touchdown passes.

Again, find a player having a better season.

The biggest knock on Rivers’ MVP candidacy was that he plays for a loser. Not anymore. San Diego is now 5-5 after rolling off three straight wins. The Chargers are tied with Oakland for second place in the AFC West, a game behind Kansas City at 6-4. After hammering the Chiefs last week, Denver reverted to its porous ways. It is 3-7 and virtually out of the playoff race, even in the muddled AFC West.

San Diego, however, is very much alive. After a tough Sunday night game at Indianapolis in Week 12, San Diego has back-to-back home games against Oakland and Kansas City. If the Chargers are going to win the AFC West for the fifth straight season, it will be because of how they play in December.

That bodes well. Rivers has never lost a December game since becoming San Diego’s starter in 2006. The Chargers are used to getting hot late. In 2007, San Diego won its final six games. In 2008, it won its final four games, and last season, it won its final 11 games.

Monday night, San Diego, which went on a 35-0 run after Denver scored on it first possession, played well in all three phases. Yes, even its season-long albatross, special teams, pitched in with a fake punt pass from punter Mike Scifres to running back Mike Tolbert that turned the momentum of the game early. If San Diego can keep its balance, it will be dangerous.

And if not, Rivers will probably carry the team, anyway.

“He’s a top quarterback in the league,” Denver linebacker Wesley Woodyard said. “He’s a guy you have to account for. Look, he just threw another four touchdown passes.”

Because he threw for just 233 yards, Rivers fell off pace to set the NFL single-season record for yardage in a season. Barely. He is on pace to throw for 5,083 yards. Miami’s Dan Marino set the mark in 1984 with 5,084 yards. Yes, Rivers is only a yard off the pace.

“We’re not focused on it as a team and I don’t think he is, either,” Clary said. “If Philip breaks Dan Marino’s record and we are sitting at home in January, it doesn’t matter. The playoffs are what matters.”

Meanwhile, Denver's Kyle Orton was on pace to throw for 4,988 yards entering the game. That would be the third-highest total in NFL history. Orton, who had a rough night, passed for just 217 yards. He is now on pace for 4,836 yards, still a stellar season.

But Monday night was about Rivers and the Chargers.

“It was awesome to hear the fans chant,” San Diego safety Eric Weddle said. “It’s deserved. What Philip is doing this season, with all the issues we’ve had with injuries, is amazing.”

Gates was out for the second straight game with a foot injury and there is no guarantee he will be back in Week 12. Starting receiver Legedu Naanee has been out for a month with a hamstring injury. Starting receiver Malcom Floyd came back Monday night after a long layoff with a hamstring injury. Patrick Crayton, the team’s No.4 receiver who has been starting lately because of injuries, suffered a wrist injury Monday night. He is unsure when he will be back. Starting tailback Ryan Mathews was out Monday with an ankle injury. In his place, Tolbert rambled for 111 yards on 25 carries.

There is relief coming for San Diego’s offense. Vincent Jackson is eligible to play at Indianapolis after holding out and then serving three games on the roster exemption list. Expect Jackson to be used often down the stretch. Jackson and Rivers have a strong chemistry, especially in the deep game. Thus, Rivers should be even better with Jackson on the field -- if that’s possible.

“The thing about Philip is his impact on games,” Gates said. “He didn’t have the big yards, but he made an impact in every phase of the offense … Nobody does what Philip does.”

If late-season wins continue to pile up for San Diego, expect the “MVP” chants to increase in both noise level and validity.

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.

Three of the better players in the AFC West are doubtful to play in Week 9. All of their absences would be felt greatly by their teams.

Oakland is preparing for its biggest game since 2002 with star cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha and standout tight end Zach Miller being listed as doubtful to play against first-place Kansas City. Also, San Diego star tight end Antonio Gates is doubtful to play at Houston.

Asomugha and Miller would be big losses for Oakland against the Chiefs. Neither player practiced all week. Asomugha has an ankle injury and Miller has a foot problem.

Asomugha is widely considered one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. Stanford Routt and Chris Johnson, who is coming off a concussion, will get more playing time if Asomugha doesn’t play.

Kansas City has the No. 1 running attack in the NFL and relies on the run. However, if Asomugha doesn’t play, expect Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel to challenge Oakland’s cornerbacks more than he would if Asomugha were healthy. Miller is a favorite target in Oakland and a top third-down weapon.

San Diego’s passing game will be a mess if Gates can’t play. He has plantar fasciitis on one foot and an injured toe on the other, and didn’t practice all week. San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers will be without his top four receivers, and if Gates – Rivers’ favorite target – doesn’t play, Rivers will be in a lurch. Backup tight ends Randy McMichael and Kris Wilson and receiver Patrick Crayton will the have to carry the receiving load along with running back Darren Sproles.

Rivers has thrown for 2,649 yards this season, which is more than any quarterback in NFL history after eight games. He might be challenged like he has never been before this week. Oakland and San Diego have a bye in Week 10, so these three players will get a chance to heal next week.

Meanwhile, Kansas City guard Ryan Lilja (hand) and receiver/returner/rusher Dexter McCluster (ankle) are both questionable to face Oakland.

The Vincent Jackson holdout is officially over and he’s back with the Chargers, for now.

The only reason why Jackson signed his tender Friday is because he needed to accrue a season toward free agency. Jackson’s camp announced last week that he’d report Friday. Jackson will now be set to be an unrestricted free agent in March. Then, Jackson will almost certainly leave as a free agent unless the Chargers give him the franchise tag, which could open a whole new can of worms.

The odds are Jackson is coming back to San Diego to say good-bye. After he serves three games on the roster exempt list, he will be eligible to play in Week 12 at Indianapolis on Nov. 28.

Expect Jackson to become a contributor as soon as he’s eligible to play. San Diego coach Norv Turner loves Jackson and will be thrilled to add him to an offense that is ranked No. 1 in the NFL. There is still room for Jackson, especially in the deep passing game.

According to ESPN Stats and Information, in the past two seasons, Jackson led the NFL with 16 catches for 729 yards on pass plays of 31-plus yards. He was targeted 36 times on passes of 31-plus yards. Quarterback Philip Rivers has a great connection with Jackson, and I think the two will enjoy instant chemistry again.

For the time being, the team and Jackson will play nice.

“I’m happy Vincent is here,” San Diego general manager A.J. Smith said in a statement released by the team. “I have no doubt he will go to work, work hard and quickly get into game-shape. Once he starts playing in games, I don’t think it will take him long for him to be a contributor and help us.”

In the same release, Jackson also appeared ready to move on.

“It feels good to be with my teammates. I’ve missed football more than you can imagine,” Jackson said. “Right now I’m just looking forward to being able to practice and get back on the field. My only concern is doing whatever I can to contribute and help the team win. The future will take care of itself.”

San Diego could use Jackson now. Starting receivers Malcom Floyd and Legedu Naanee are both doubtful to play Sunday against Tennessee with hamstring injuries. Neither player played last week. Receiver Buster Davis, who is expected to start at receiver along with Patrick Crayton, is questionable with a rib injury. He was limited in practice Friday in his only work of the week.

Tight end Antonio Gates, Rivers' top target, practiced Friday fully for the first time in two weeks because of a toe injury. He played last week and he is expected to play Sunday, even though he is listed as questionable.

Kicker Kris Brown is questionable with an ankle injury. He is replacing Nate Kaeding, who is out for a couple of weeks with a groin issue.