"Tight end Antonio Gates and wide receiver Patrick Crayton will likely catch passes again this season. But the dark cloud hanging over the Chargers' current belief that they're set to make a late-season run is the possibility the two playmakers will not be able to contribute.

Crayton submitted to surgery Wednesday on the left wrist he dislocated two days prior. The hope is he could play late in the season, perhaps as early as the middle of next month.

Meanwhile, on the day wide receiver Vincent Jackson practiced for the first time this season as an official member of the Chargers, Gates remained sidelined and unsure when his injured right foot will allow him to play.

"It has gotten better," Gates said. "It's still painful ... I've been through pain, but this is painful ... Days are getting shorter. Mentally, I have to decide what's best for this team. We're going against a real tough team."

Having not played the past two games - ending a streak of 94 games played - Gates said he planned to try to get on the field and push himself in game-like movements today, indicating he needs to see what he can do if he has a chance to play Sunday at Indianapolis.

"I'm trying to do all those things," he said of running and cutting. "That's the pressure on the foot, the planting, that's where I feel the most pain."

But Gates also confirmed the possibility of him not playing again in 2010 has been broached.

"It's come up," Gates acknowledged. "But I don't see myself allowing that to happen."

More immediately, in addition to Jackson's availability for Sunday, the Chargers appeared to be bolstered by the return of wide receiver Legedu Naanee, who has not played since Oct. 10. During that time, he has been close to coming back twice but suffered setbacks to his hamstring injury. Wednesday was his first full practice since being hurt.

More uncertain is the status of receiver Malcom Floyd. He returned after a three-game layoff to play this past Monday but aggravated his hamstring injury."