Report: Antonio Gates game-time decision for Chargers with MCL sprain
Chargers tight end Antonio Gates says he will be a game-time decision on Sunday against the Raiders.
Gates suffered a left MCL sprain last week against the Packers, reports the San Diego Union-Tribune, and the Chargers will keep tabs on status of the knee leading up to the divisional matchup. Gates, 35, said this is the first knee injury of his 13-year career.
“It's something I'm not accustomed to dealing with,” Gates told reporters Friday. “I've always heard about people with knee situations. Now, I'm dealing with one.”
The tight end has not practiced this week and is listed by the team as questionable.
Gates was injured on a tackle by Packers safety Micah Hyde in San Diego’s 27–20 loss on Sunday but remained in the game.
"Sunday is Sunday,” he said. “You try to find a way to get out there. If you can't, you'll make sure to let the coaches know you can’t do it, give them a chance to pull someone else up or whatever the case may be. I'm very optimistic in anything I do because I understand this is football. But this is obviously something I've never had an opportunity to deal with. This is my first. We'll see how it goes."
Gates has 18 catches for 187 yards and two touchdowns in two games this season after serving a four-game suspension to open the season for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy.
The Chargers are 2–4, and take on the 2–3 Raiders in San Diego on Sunday at 4:05 p.m. ET.
- Jeremy Woo
