The Los Angeles Chargers’ passing of the torch at the tight end position appears to be over before it started. At least for the 2018 season. The Chargers made it be known they weren’t interested in bringing back franchise legend Antonio Gates. But the team may have to re-think that now that Hunter Henry, who the team named starting tight end after Gates’ exit, will miss the entire 2018 season due to a torn ACL during workouts.
Henry has been with the Chargers for two seasons since coming to the NFL out of Arkansas. He has 81 receptions for 1,057 yards over those seasons. Henry made some headlines as a rookie by being a touchdown machine, scoring eight on 36 receptions in 2016. The touchdowns dipped to four in 2017, but Henry upped his catches and yards. Los Angeles was obviously hoping for all his numbers to keep climbing, but they’ll have to wait until 2019 to get him back on the field.
Hunter Henry will miss the 2018 season with a torn ACL. Since entering the NFL in 2016, Henry is tied for 4th-most receiving TD among TE. pic.twitter.com/RXGlFfvF22
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 23, 2018
While Gates seems like a likely replacement to (re)take the tight end spot, the team may choose to look elsewhere or continue on with what is already on the roster.
Hunter Henry ranks as the #1 TE in both success rate (#2 overall player any position) and missed YPA (#1 overall player any position) the last 2 years. He is a MAJOR difference maker for the Chargers. He was set up perfectly for 2018. His loss cuts deep.
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) May 23, 2018
The Chargers primary backups for Henry, as of now, are Virgil Green and Sean McGrath. It’s expected Henry will go on injured reserve in the coming days, which would allow the team to add another player to take his roster spot.
