Chargers TE Antonio Gates plans to see a foot specialist on Tuesday and is considering further examination by the doctor who performed his foot surgery following the 2007 season.
“It gets frustrating,” Gates said. “… (Seeing more specialists) I think I get the satisfaction of knowing that it’s not anything that would hinder me from my career.”
Gates said the issue comes down to committing to playing now and enduring the weekly pain and “cycle” of uncertainty over whether he will play or resting for another three to five weeks or longer and hoping that is enough so that when he comes back he can finish the season without interruption.
“I think those questions are still in the air,” he said. “… Rest can definitely help, but it’s a combination of, at what point is the worst-case scenario for me? Is it going to be a situation where if I rest it ain’t going to make a difference if I come back and run, because you have to get through the scar tissue?
Any extended period of time without Gates will impact other Chargers skilled players. Plan accordingly.
