"Antonio Gates won't be playing football on Thursday evening. The Chargers tight end hasn't practiced since Aug. 4 and has done so just once since training camp began, exercising caution while rehabbing the plantar fasciitis in his foot.

While the goal is for Gates to be ready for the regular season, that doesn't mean he'll skip the entire preseason. The Chargers used to give running back LaDainian Tomlinson the exhibition slate off to avoid unnecessary wear and tear, but the same won't be true for Gates.

"There is a plan for him to play during the preseason," Chargers coach Norv Turner said. "That will happen when he's able to do the things he wants to do at full speed. If he can't make cuts, push off it and go, then we're going to wait until he's ready."

There isn't a timetable for that. The moment will come by feel. Gates is a veteran with tremendous talent and football knowledge and could probably skip the preseason if necessary, but he hopes that isn't the case."