Antonio Gates Injury: Updates on Chargers Star's Knee and Return

San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates sprained his MCL against the Green Bay Packers in Week 6, per Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune. Thankfully for Chargers fans, he is ready to return after missing Week 7.

Continue for updates. 

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Gates Active for Week 8

Sunday, Nov. 1

The Chargers did not list Gates among the inactive players against the Baltimore Ravens.

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Latest on Gates' Practice Status Ahead of Week 8

Thursday, Oct. 29

Gates remained out of practice on Thursday, according to Gehlken. 

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Gates Comments on Sitting Out Week 7 

Monday, Oct. 26

Gates decided late Saturday he wouldn't be able to play in Week 7 and considers himself "day-to-day," according to Gehlken. 

"The MCL is a big part of my game. ... If I'm not able to move laterally, I'm not the same player. That's what makes me me," explained Gates on his rationale for sitting out, per Gehlken, who added Gates declined an MRI but was considering getting one later in the week.

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Examining Gates' Injury History

While Gates appeared in all 16 games for the Bolts in each of the past two seasons, he encountered a stretch of painful injuries throughout the early portion of the decade. 

In 2010, Gates tore the plantar fascia in his right foot and missed a total of six games after he was eventually placed on season-ending injured reserve. The following season, he missed three games after aggravating the same foot injury. A rib problem then forced him to miss one contest during the 2012 season. 

But when he's been healthy, Gates has consistently ranked as one of the league's best tight ends. 

He cracked the 10,000-yard receiving mark for his career during the 2014 season, making him just the fourth tight end in league history to top that illustrious benchmark. 

The supremely athletic Ladarius Green will take most of the snaps at tight end if Gates is forced to the sidelines again this season. In addition to that, quarterback Philip Rivers would look to top wide receiver Keenan Allen.

With the ability to burn defenses up the seam and on short crossing routes, Gates is still a valuable piece of the Chargers attack when healthy, and his return is critical to the Chargers' success.