Bears Blitz

Hunter Henry Injury: Updates on Chargers TE’s Knee and Return

Published by Tim Daniels on November 4, 2016
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

San Diego Chargers tight end Hunter Henry will miss the team’s Week 9 game against the Tennessee Titans because of a knee injury.

Continue for updates.

Henry Ruled Out vs. Titans

Friday, Nov. 4

The Chargers officially ruled Henry out on the final injury report. He was also listed as a non-participant in each of the squad’s three practice sessions this week.

San Diego used a second-round pick in the 2016 draft to snag Henry out of Arkansas. The rookie enjoyed a strong four-game stretch starting in Week 3 against the Indianapolis Colts. He made 18 catches for 290 yards and three touchdowns during that span.

Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com passed along comments from Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers in mid-October about the immediate impact of his new target.

“I knew he was going to be good, but gosh, he’s a heck of a player,” Rivers said. “He understands the game and he’s a complete player. I would describe him as a football player—that’s the ultimate compliment, my dad would say.”

Those strong numbers came while veteran tight end Antonio Gates was working through some injury issues of his own, though. He’s shown signs of a return to form in recent weeks, however, and Henry’s production has dipped as a result. He made just three grabs over the past two games.

It’s also the second straight week the John Mackey Award winner has dealt with an injury. He was listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos after suffering from concussion-like symptoms, but he ended up playing.

Alas, the knee injury is going to cost him at least one game. Sean McGrath and Asante Cleveland could both see an uptick in playing time in select offensive packages, but Gates will get the lion’s share of the snaps at the position.

While it’s not clear how long Henry will be sidelined, the fact he didn’t practice at all this week is a troubling sign. After the Titans game, the Chargers play the Miami Dolphins on Nov. 13 before heading to their bye, which could factor into the decision about whether he returns for Week 10.