Breaking news!! Hunter Henry tears ACL
Today in OTS’s practice in Costa Mesa the injury bug hit the Chargers not just early but right off the bat!!!! It was a big blow. Hunter Henry the heir apparent to the first ballot hall of famer Antonio Gates will not even get to participate in the season in what was supposed to be his first with the torch handed over to him and the job fully his. Henry was selected with the 35th overall pick in 2016. He has shown signs and all the makings of a future pro bowler. This was fairly apparent as he has slowly worked Antonio Gates out of a full time role. He posted 1,057 receiving yards 81 catches and 12 touchdown in just his first two seasons and wasn’t even a full time starter. Not only has Henry showed signs of being a great pass catching tight end but also is a great blocking tight end which is a rare trait in tight ends who possess that type of receiving talent. There are a few exceptions however (Gronkowski, Kelce, Witten).
Earlier this off-season the team made a public statement that they would no longer be interested in the services of Antonio Gates. They should now be considering very strongly bringing back the seasoned veteran. Well now hasn’t this become an awkward situation. Gates has expressed his interest in continuing to play. While this is a big blow to the team it does however present more than a suitable situation for Gates to return to soften the blow. This is something I expect to be taking place as we speak. Sean Culkin is also a sleeper step in here. Culkin was a undrafted free agent last year and showed great enough promise to make the team in a position group that was stacked. Obviously they thought highly enough of him to keep him around with four tight ends on the final roster and part of the time on the practice squad. While run blocking is not one of his strengths he has shown great flashes and signs of Culkin becoming a great Receiving tight end. I loom for Culkin to get an awful lot of looks going forward weather Gates is brought back or not.
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