The San Diego Chargers will be without Antonio Gates for at least another week.
The All-Pro tight end is on the inactive list for the Bolts' Monday night matchup against the Denver Broncos.
Gates, who is dealing with a painful foot injury, was holding out hope he could return to action after missing the first game of his career in Week 9 against the Houston Texans. The Chargers are coming off their bye week.
Gates isn't the only playmaker Philip Rivers will be missing against Denver. Rookie running back Ryan Mathews is also inactive with an ankle injury, as is wide receiver Legedu Naanee, who has a nagging hamstring issue.
The Chargers added running back Curtis Brinkley off the practice squad to give the team another option in the backfield in Mathews' absence. They also signed tight end Kory Sperry off the practice squad Monday for depth.
The team released linebackers Brandon Lang and David Herron to make way for Brinkley and Sperry.
Brinkley, an undrafted rookie, also was activated for the team's 27-20 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 3, but had no carries.
Sperry, signed to the practice squad before the season, spent last year with the Miami Dolphins, appearing in eight games. He caught three passes for 31 yards and a touchdown in eight games with the Dolphins.
Other inactives for the Chargers include: DB Darrell Stuckey, SS Steve Gregory, TE Kris Wilson, and DE Travis Johnson. K Kris Brown will serve as the emergency third quarterback.
Broncos inactives include: CB Andre Goodman, RB Laurence Maroney, LB Robert Ayers, G Stanley Daniels, G Eric Olsen, DE David Veikune. Brady Quinn will serve as the third quarterback.
