Chargers tight end Antonio Gates has been having a special season for San Diego. Despite getting hurt against the Rams and having just two catches, he managed to play against the Patriots the following week and posted 50 yards plus a touchdown. Last weekend, despite being extremely questionable, he caught five passes for 128 yards and a touchdown in a win over the Titans. In addition to all the problems on his left foot, Gates also tore the plantar fascia in his right foot making him “doubtful” for Sunday’s game in Houston.
No Chargers player listed as doubtful has played a game this season for obvious reasons; being doubtful means you only have a 25% chance of playing. If you go back to the playoffs in 2008, Antonio Gates was listed as doubtful twice and still played despite a toe injury. Between Norv Turner’s manipulation of the injury report and Gates’ resilience, I fully expect the All-Pro tight end to play against the Texans.
Gates made the trip with the team to Houston and reportedly looked pretty good walking on his way to the team’s walk-through practice. With his history of fighting through ailments, it’s a darn good bet that Antonio Gates will play in the game. You know what? The man is leading the NFL with nine touchdown catches on the season. It’s probably a good bet he’ll get a score in the game as well.
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