Denver's defense missing 3 starters at San Diego
The Denver Broncos are without three starters from the league's top-ranked defense for their AFC West showdown at San Diego.
Outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware worked out on the field a few hours before kickoff as he continues his recovery from a back injury, but he's inactive for a fourth consecutive week and fifth overall.
Also out are Pro Bowl safety T.J. Ward and nose tackle Sylvester Williams, both of whom suffered high ankle sprains on the same running play last week against New England.
Ward and Williams stayed back in Denver along with Peyton Manning, who missed his third straight game with a torn plantar fascia in his left foot. Manning began rehab this weekend after having the foot immobilized for 10 days.
In New England, Tom Brady is without his top option, tight end Rob Gronkowski, who hurt his right knee in the Patriots' 30-24 loss at Denver on Monday night. He's also without injured wide receiver Julian Edelman again.
In Oakland, the Raiders are without starting center Rodney Hudson, who is sidelined for the third time in four games because of a sprained ankle, and the Chiefs are without injured pass rusher Justin Houston with a knee injury.
Here are the inactives:
---
DENVER AT SAN DIEGO
Broncos: QB Peyton Manning, OLB DeMarcus Ware, S T.J. Ward, NT Sylvester Williams, QB Christian Ponder, WR Jordan Norwood, OL Sam Brenner.
Chargers: WR Tyrell Williams, S Adrian Phillips, CB Greg Ducre, LB Kavell Conner, D.J. Fluker, LT King Dunlap, NT Sean Lissemore.
---
KANSAS CITY AT OAKLAND
Chiefs: WR De'Anthony Thomas, S Husain Abdullah, LB Justin Houston, OL Mitch Morse, QB Aaron Murray, DL Allen Bailey, DL David King.
Raiders: RB Taiwan Jones, CB Keith McGill, LB Neiron Ball, C Rodney Hudson, OL Khalif Barnes, WR Rod Streater, TE Gabe Holmes.
---
CAROLINA AT NEW ORLEANS
Panthers: WR Brenton Bersin, S Dean Marlowe, CB Charles Tillman, RB Brandon Wegher, RB Cameron Artis-Payne, WR Kevin Norwood, DE Mario Addison.
Saints: QB Garrett Grayson, CB Damian Swann, LB Dannell Ellerbe, G Jahri Evans, WR Willie Snead, DT John Jenkins, DE Philip Hunt.
---
PHILADELPHIA AT NEW ENGLAND
Eagles: QB Thad Lewis, WR Miles Austin, RB Ryan Mathews, CB Denzel Rice, DE Cedric Thornton, OL Barrett Jones, OL Tanner Hawkinson.
Patriots: TE Rob Gronkowski, WR Julian Edelman, DL Dominique Easley, DB Justin Coleman, RB Trey Williams, DB Jordan Richards, LB Dont'a Hightower.
---
ARIZONA AT ST. LOUIS
Cardinals: QB Matt Barkley, CB Jerraud Powers, RB Andre Ellington, OT D.J. Humphries, T-G Earl Watford, DT Cory Redding, DT Frostee Rucker.
Rams: K Greg Zuerlein, QB Sean Mannion, CB Trumaine Johnson, T Andrew Donnal, G-C Ethan Westbrooks, DE Robert Quinn.
---
SEATTLE AT MINNESOTA
Seahawks: CB Tye Smith, RB Marshawn Lynch, CB Cary Williams, G Kristjan Sokoli, TE Chase Coffman, DE Demarcus Dobbs, DT Jordan Hill.
Vikings: QB Taylor Heinicke, SS Andrew Sendejo, LB Edmond Robinson, C Nick Easton, T Jeremiah Sirles, DE Justin Trattou, DT Linval Joseph.
---
JACKSONVILLE AT TENNESSEE
Jaguars: WR Rashad Lawrence, WR Allen Hurns, RB Bernard Pierce, CB Nick Marshall, LB Dan Skuta, C Luke Bowanko, DE Chris Smith.
Titans: DE Ropati Pitoitua, DL Mike Martin, RB Dexter McCluster, CB Cody Riggs, OL Jamon Meredith, WR Andrew Turzilli, OLB Derrick Morgan.
---
SAN FRANCISCO AT CHICAGO:
49ers: WR Jerome Simpson, WR DeAndrew White, RB Carlos Hyde, CB Chris Davis, G Brandon Thomas, OL Ian Silberman, TE Garrett Celek.
Bears: WR Marquess Wilson, WR Eddie Royal, S Antrel Rolle, CB Jacoby Glenn, RB Antone Smith, OL Nick Becton, DL Bruce Gaston.
---
NEW YORK JETS AT NEW YORK GIANTS:
Jets: QB Bryce Petty, CB Marcus Williams, CB Darrelle Revis, S Dion Bailey, G Dakota Dozier, T Ben Ijalana, LB Josh Martin.
Giants: WR Geremy Davis, S Brandon Meriweather, LB Devon Kennard, OL Emmett Cleary, T Marshall Newhouse, TE Larry Donnell, DE George Selvie.
---
ATLANTA AT TAMPA BAY:
Falcons: K Matt Bryant, CB Phillip Adams, S Charles Godfrey, RB Terron Ward, T Bryce Harris, TE Tony Moeaki, DE Malliciah Goodman.
Buccaneers: QB Ryan Griffin, LB Bruce Carter, DE Jacquies Smith, T Gosder Cherilus, TE Brandon Myers, DT Gerald McCoy, DE George Johnson.
---
HOUSTON AT BUFFALO:
Texans: G Brandon Brooks, TE Garrett Graham, FS Rahim Moore, CB Darryl Morris, DE Jeoffrey Pagan, LB Justin Tuggle, QB Brandon Weeden.
Bills: QB Josh Johnson, RB Karlos Williams, CB Mario Butler, LB Nigel Bradham, RT Seantrel Henderson, RG John Miller, DE Lavar Edwards.
---
BALTIMORE AT MIAMI:
Ravens: WR Marlon Brown, CB Tray Walker, T Eugene Monroe, G Kaleb Johnson, TE Maxx Williams, DT Carl Davis, DE Kapron Lewis-Moore.
Dolphins: T Ja'Wuan James, DT Earl Mitchell, C Jacques McClendon, CB Jamar Taylor, WR Rishard Matthews, T Ulrick John, LB Chris McCain.
---
CINCINNATI AT CLEVELAND:
Bengals: CB Leon Hall, TE Tyler Eifert, S George Iloka, OL Eric Winston, DT Marcus Hardison, DE Will Clarke, DT Brandon Thompson.
Browns: WR Andrew Hawkins, WR Terrelle Pryor, WR Taylor Gabriel, DB Justin Gilbert, DB Joe Haden, RB Glenn Winston, WR Dwayne Bowe.
---
AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL