Mathews practicing; Gates in pain

Mike Tolbert sat out practice to protect the hand he hurt Sunday in Indianapolis, but Ryan Mathews returned to the practice field for the first time in a month.
The rookie tailback has not played or practiced since leaving the Chargers Nov. 7 game at Houston having aggravated his high ankle sprain.
Head coach Norv Turner said he is hopeful Mathews will return to play the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, though he will likely be sharing time with Tolbert.
Tolbert, who has gained more than 100 yards both of the past two games, termed his sitting out "precautionary" and predicted he will play against the Raiders.
Tight end Antonio Gates did not practice, resuming a regular ritual of trying to recover enough to play on Sunday.
"I'm undecided," Gates said. "I'm not to a point I'm for sure going next week."
Gates played in Indianapolis, making four receptions for 46 yards. Having been inactive the previous two games with a torn plantar fascia, Gates said he was in a lot of pain in Indianapolis and even suggested it may have been a mistake to play.
"I was not myself," he said, adding he did not think he made the injury worse.
Wide receivers Vincent Jackson (calf), Patrick Crayton and Malcom Floyd (hamstring) did not practicing. Only Floyd has a chance to play against the Raiders.
Right guard Louis Vasquez (neck), linebacker Stephen Cooper (knee) and defensive back Donald Strickland (hip) did not practice.

source:  Signonsandiego.com via Stephania Bell, ESPN
author:  Kevin Acee