Chargers RB Tomlinson, TE Gates miss practice

Jan 1, 2009 - 10:38 PM SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson and tight end Antonio Gates both missed a second straight practice Thursday, putting their availability in doubt for this week's AFC wild card game against the Indianapolis Colts.

Tomlinson suffered a groin injury in the third quarter of last Sunday's 52-21 win over Denver that helped the Chargers clinch the AFC West title. Gates is nursing an ankle injury.

"I think they will be available (Saturday)," head coach Norv Turner said Wednesday. "The thing about it is that we have other people ready to go today. We have to have them prepared because obviously if you go into the game injured a little bit you may not get through the entire game."

It is a familiar situation for the Chargers (8-8), who lost to New England in last season's AFC championship game without Tomlinson and Gates.

Gates was out with a toe injury and Tomlinson sat out most of the loss after aggravating a knee injury he suffered against Indianapolis the previous week.