No Flowers, Attaochu for mindful Chargers

Brandon Flowers and Jerry Attaochu missed practice. That was due to injury.

Antonio Gates and Dwight Freeney were spectators. That was due to foresight.

A few key Chargers did not participate Wednesday morning, as the team began its on-field preparation for Sunday’s game in Buffalo. The team also welcomed back safety Jahleel Addae and cornerback Chris Davis, neither of whom had practiced since being injured this preseason.

Flowers suffered a groin ailment Sept. 11 in practice. The cornerback was inactive Sunday versus the Seahawks, rookie first-round pick Jason Verrett starting in his place. Attaochu, a second-round outside linebacker, left Sunday’s game with a hamstring injury.

Gates and Freeney, meanwhile, are limited for another reason entirely.

Both veterans are off to a fast start this season. Gates caught seven passes for 96 yards and three touchdowns Sunday, the NFL naming him Wednesday the AFC Offensive Player of the Week. Freeney, meanwhile, totaled four quarterback hurries with his first sack of the season.

Both are 34.

The team looks to preserve their bodies over the course of the year. In a conference call Wednesday, Bills coach Doug Marrone called them “two future Hall of Famers that are still playing at a high level.”

“Antonio Gates, obviously, we’ve played against him a bunch,” Marrone added. “Every time in the games I’ve been involved with, he’s been off the charts. It’s a battle for us. With Dwight, I know him personally. I know how he works out; I know how he trains. He may be that in age, but that not the way he plays. He plays a whole lot younger than that. He and (Melvin) Ingram are playing at an extremely high level, and it’ll be a big challenge for us.”

Addae injured his hamstring on Aug. 15 in Seattle. Davis sprained his ankle Aug. 28 during the final exhibition game.

Running back Ryan Mathews did not practice. He sprained his right MCL on Sunday and is not expected to return until sometime next month.