Few expected the Chargers to be here - at midseason anyway. Before the season, everyone expected the Chargers to be preparing for a playoff game.

The plan was for running back LaDainian Tomlinson and tight end Antonio Gates to test their ailments in Thursday’s practice.

But that scenario was scrapped as Tomlinson (strained groin) and Gates (sprained ankle) stayed down for another day.

The Chargers continue workouts Friday for Saturday’s divisional playoff game, and it’s not known if Tomlinson and Gates will participate.

But even if they go, that would be just a walk-through session, meaning the two Chargers stars won’t have a real practice before game day.

The decision, though, is not to push either player leading up to the game. They will test how they can move and how much pain they can withstand before kickoff.

Both players were compromised last season in the playoffs as well.

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Denver Broncos will ring in the new year as a battered team with a bruised ego to go with another playoff miss ENLARGE A dejected Jay Cutler walks to the sideline Sunday night at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego.

Mayor Jerry Sanders wagered a six-pack of Karl Strauss Amber Lager and a Rubio’s Pesky Combo of two fish tacos, chips and beans on this week’s playoff game between the San Diego Chargers and the Indianapolis …

Ron Rivera was talking about Peyton Manning with both admiration and frustration when the reality of being an NFL defensive coordinator in the playoffs caught up with him.

Chargers stars LaDainian Tomlinson and Antonio Gates missed a second straight practice Thursday as San Diego continued to prepare for its home wild-card playoff game against the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday night. It sounds as if Tomlinson, who has a strained groin, is in better shape than Gates, who has a sprained ankle.

Colts quarterback Peyton Manning is likely on the cusp of winning this third MVP award of his career and always presents unique challenges for his opponents.

Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan watches his team play against the San Diego Chargers during the second quarter in an NFL football game Sunday, Dec.

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Beyond the winner-take-all stakes in Sunday’s finale between the Denver Broncos and San Diego Chargers, there is a personal element stoked by the heated rivalry between opposing quarterbacks Jay Cutler and …