Antonio Gates might lose it if he has to miss a sixth Chargers game

Antonio Gates doesn't want to miss another down for the Chargers. Orlando Ramirez USA TODAY Sports

Antonio Gates was forced to watch a fifth game from the Chargers sidelines on Sunday.

The end result wasn't pretty. So the future Hall of Fame tight end hopes he'll battle through a knee sprain to avoid a sixth this weekend against the Ravens.

"Hopefully this week it's gotten a lot better, and I'll just see how it goes," Gates told ESPN's Eric D. Williams. "It's kind of like day-to-day with me."

Gates was sorely missed in Week 7. His team could only muster 105 passing yards through three quarters and looked shell-shocked against a so-so Raiders defense.

Gates' return won't be a cure-all. But it will give his quarterback, Philip Rivers, his old reliable security blanket back -- and that helps.

"I'm doing everything known to man to go out and play," Gates said. "I can't tell you how frustrating it is to be out after sitting out four weeks, and then having to come back and deal with something like this that's lingering."

(h/t ESPN)

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