Chargers tight end Antonio Gates says that not only is he done for the rest of the regular season, but even if the Chargers make the playoffs, he’s no lock to play.
“Time is the key. There’s not magical treatment for an injury like this,” Gates said. “Just because I hope to come back if we end up making the postseason, there’s no guarantee that I’ll be able to go. It gives me a chance.”
Not having Gates would be a major blow to the Chargers in the playoffs. Before he got hurt, Gates was on his way to having one of the best seasons of any tight end in NFL history, with 40 catches for 663 yards and nine touchdowns through the first eight games of the season.
Then again, the only reason the Chargers actually have a chance of getting to the playoffs is that they’ve played so well without Gates: In the four games he’s missed, the Chargers are 4-0 and have won by a combined score of 132-44.