Antonio Gates received a doubtful designation last week and did not play in the Chargers’ Week 3 loss to the Colts. He could be set to miss more time.
Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports (via Twitter) the future Hall of Fame tight end was not close to playing in Indianapolis.
Gehlken points out Hunter Henry played 59 snaps last week and should expect a big workload again in Week 4, hinting at the 36-year-old Gates needing a multi-game absence to recover from the hamstring malady that’s currently restricting him.
Gates’ history with nagging injuries has not kept him out of many games in recent years. The 13th-year Charger missed four contests because of a PED suspension last season and one due to injury. He played in at least 15 from 2012-14.
Gates signed a two-year, $11MM deal with $6MM guaranteed this offseason, one that saw Ladarius Green depart for Pittsburgh. Green has yet to play for the Steelers through three games. Seven touchdown receptions away from breaking Tony Gonzalez‘s record for tight end receiving scores, Gates has six catches for 35 yards this season. He has 105 career touchdown grabs, which ranks seventh all-time.
A second-round rookie, Henry caught five passes for 76 yards against the Colts. Sean McGrath and Asante Cleveland, whom the Bolts recently promoted from their practice squad due to Gates’ malady, are the team’s only other tight ends.
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