The San Diego Chargers are coming out of their bye week in. This season has certainly not gone as planned with just two wins to their name. Hoping to be healthier against the Kansas City Chiefs, the Chargers continue to have to put players on injured reserve as Malcom Floyd is the latest offensive star to be ruled out. In need of healthy bodies for Week 11, will Antonio Gates get back on the field to help his team?
Gates continues to deal with a sprained knee that was suffered over a month ago. The tight end says he is still not healthy as he was able to play in two of the games since the injury in mid-October, but Week 11 is still not a guarantee. The veteran admitted that he has been hampered by the issue, but understands that he needs to be on the field with all of the injuries the Chargers have suffered on offense.
"You can tell," said Gates, via the San Diego Union Tribune. "I'm having issues with guys at the line, defensive ends. I know it, though. I'm out here playing. I'm fighting. They got guys on me that ... I know it's an issue. I can feel it. I feel the sharp pains in cuts. I can't explode. The fatigue in certain parts of my leg. I know it's all from compensating from the knee. I'm just trying to fight through it and lead by example to show these guys what it's like to be a pro in this league. This is what it takes to be successful."
Heading into Week 11, the real star of the offense is expected to be Danny Woodhead who continues to be the spark Philip Rivers needs. The running back has 751 yards from scrimmage this season with five touchdowns. That includes 521 yards through the air. He has been one of the biggest bargains for the Chargers making just $1.5 million this season. The Chargers really need him to over-achieve in Week 11 with Keenan Allen and Floyd out while Melvin Gordon remains inconsistent. Rivers has loved what Woodhead brings to the offense as he hopes it continues.
"Naturally, you don't see Danny Woodhead and think -- super-fast, super-athletic -- all of those things," Rivers said, via ESPN.com. "But he is. So he's got the physical tools. And it doesn't hurt that he's smart, that he prepares and does all of those other things also."
The Chargers will push production from Stevie Johnson and Dontrelle Inman in terms of the receiving game. Gates will continue to push himself as Ladarius Green will also be relied on as two-tight end sets could be the future of the Chargers.