"Foot injuries will hurt the Chargers on both offense and defense Thursday.

They will almost certainly be without tight end Antonio Gates and outside linebacker Larry English against the San Francisco 49ers. Both are listed as doubtful on the official injury report.

Gates has missed three of the past five games due to a plantar fascia tear in his right foot. He was not optimistic early in the week he would play, but he did hold out hope rest would allow him to return Dec. 26 against the Cincinnati Bengals.

English's injury is not considered severe, but the short week will likely not allow him to play."