Chargers tight end Antonio Gates, who is having arguably the best season of what is so far a Hall of Fame career, is in danger of missing his team’s Week 9 contest against the Texans.
Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union Tribune reports that during the second half of last week’s win over Tennessee, Gates “popped the plantar fascia in his right foot during.” This injury, obviously, is separate from the left toe and ankle injuries that have hindered –though certainly not derailed – the tight end in recent weeks.
Gates said of the injury, which first flared up after the Patriots game October 24, “My (right) foot was on fire,” Gates said of the aftermath of the Patriots game. “It was so bad, it was like my toe and ankle didn’t bother me anymore.”
Gates has had issues with his plantar fascia before, including this past May. But never has the problem flared up during the season or been this severe. The tearing of the plantar fascia is extremely painful. In fact, after San Diego’s win over Tennessee, Gates, with his painkilling injections wearing off, privately declared himself out for Week 9. He’s hoping now that something will change.
“I was in so much pain,” Gates said. “… But you take steps, you prepare the right way. I hope I can go.”
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