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COSTA MESA, Calif. – Antonio Gates appeared to be his former name, running the road and catching up with teammate Philip Rivers in the Los Angeles Chargers' first round of training on Wednesday.
The 38 – year – old tight winger signed a one – year free – agent contract for the Bolts. Close-end Hunter Henry kicked off the regular season on a list of players unable to perform after an ACL operation.
Although he missed all of the team's work and off-season training camp and has only three days to prepare for the first game of the season at home against the Kansas City Chiefs, Gates did not rule out playing Sunday.
"I've always been optimistic about playing in a match, whether I'm injured or not here – that did not matter," Gates said. "So, I think I'm well aware of the preparation that has to be done throughout the week to play a game at the highest level possible.That being said … it depends on how I feel before Sunday. "
Gates was not listed on the team's injury report on Wednesday, which included defensive end Joey Bosa as a limited participant due to a left foot injury and rookie defensive tackle Justin Jones as a full participant with an ankle problem.
However, Chargers coach Anthony Lynn said he would take a conservative approach to bringing Gates back to the field.
"I'm going to watch it closely this week," Lynn said. "I want to know where he is conditioned.We know he can help us.That's why we brought him back.I do not know yet how much, but we'll see."
Rivers and Gates shared a smile as the veteran flagman stepped off the podium after talking to reporters Wednesday.
"Here's the guy you've been waiting for," joked Rivers.
Although he began his 16th season in the NFL, Gates showed a certain speed to enter and break breaks during the practice of passing Rivers.
"It's like he's never gone," Rivers said. "It 's like he was there all season and all training camp." It would be nice to have it in practice today and the day before. to have in the building. "
Gates joins a closed group including starter Virgil Green and his replacement Sean Culkin.
Second-year catcher Mike Williams will also be relying on some of the routes Henry would have exploited. However, Gates could play a red zone role and third threat if he shows that he is in good health.
Gates became a free agent in March and the team informed his representative that the Chargers would not try to re-sign him.
However, the Chargers lost Henry for the year he suffered a knee injury at the ACL on the first day of the May events. Gates and his agents had been in talks with the Chargers ever since, and they finally reached an agreement on an agreement this week.
"We disagreed on some things and I think we agreed that this year we had the opportunity to be part of this family," said Gates. "It will always be family for me, so it's like forgiving a family member and then going on ahead.
"Our goal is to go out and try to win a Super Bowl, and that's what I wanted to be part of. That's what we agreed on and I got to the same conclusion, so here I am today. "
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