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SAN DIEGO – The Chargers signed fullback Billy Latsko on Thursday and placed tight end Antonio Gates on Reserve-Injured.

Latsko spent most of the last three seasons on the practice squad with Carolina and San Diego. The Chargers signed him to the active roster for seven games in ’08 but he has yet to play his first NFL snap.

Latsko, 5-foot-10, 233 pounds, was released by the Chargers on Sept. 4 during final cuts. He will wear No. 34.

Jacob Hester, San Diego’s lone fullback, has played in all 15 games but missed Wednesday and Thursday’s practices with a knee injury. Hester has rushed 26 times for 60 yards this season and has 22 catches for 145 yards and a touchdown.

“(Latsko) has a chance to be (the starting fullback),” Head Coach Norv Turner said. “I’m not saying that Jacob is out. Jacob has a chance to play but not being out there today obviously set him back a little bit.

“I think Billy knows what to do. It would be a limited role but he would be ready to go if we need him.”

If Latsko plays against Denver on Sunday, the Chargers would tie the NFL record for the number of players to appear in at least one game during a non-strike season. Arizona currently holds the mark with 74 in ’05.

Gates tore the plantar fascia in his right foot Oct. 17 against the Rams. He played in four other games while experiencing acute pain but resolved to rest his foot after it didn’t get better. Gates hasn’t played since a Dec. 5 loss to Oakland and wasn’t expected to face Denver.

A Pro Bowl selection despite being affected by the injury for much of the season, Gates caught 50 passes for a team-high 782 yards and 10 touchdowns in 10 games.

STILL BUSINESS: Antwan Applewhite never has missed the playoffs in his three-year NFL career.

Like many young Chargers players, preparing for a late-season game with no playoff implications is a distasteful new venture to the starting outside linebacker.

“We’re still gonna play to win,” Applewhite said. “Our team has too much pride about it and we respect ourselves and our fans too much to go out there and lay an egg. It’s been business-like just like any other week, just knowing that this is the last game.”

Said Paul Oliver, who also has never experienced an NFL season that ended after Week 17: “It’s business as usual. Obviously guys are hurt that we’re not going to the playoffs. That doesn’t take anything away from everyone wanting to win. Especially against Denver.”

RUN GAME VIABLE: Denver’s rush offense wasn’t much to speak of early in the season when Knowshon Moreno (hamstring) missed significant time.

Since Week 9, the Broncos have improved by 1.8 yards per carry, most in the NFL. Denver averages 122.9 rushing yards per game since Week 9 compared with 67.3 before it.

Moreno rushed for a career-high 161 yards against Kansas City on Dec. 5.

“He doesn’t quit,” said Oliver, who played the 2006 season at Georgia with Moreno. “You’ve got to play to the whistle with him, all four quarters. He’s a true competitor.”

PRACTICE WEATHER: Sunny, 52 degrees.