Chargers tight end Hunter Henry has reportedly suffered a tibial plateau fracture.

Some have made comparisons to J.J. Watt’s lateral tibial plateau fracture that ended the Texans defensive end’s 2017 season, but that is simply not the case here.

By video, Henry’s injury occurred with 38 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter on an eight-yard completion. He was hit low and a valgus and compression force was applied to his knee. Instead of tearing his MCL with his knee opening up, the outside of his knee collapsed in, causing the lateral tibial plateau fracture.

Henry did finish the game, playing in overtime and even catching a 17-yard pass.


(This injury is to his left knee. Last year, Henry tore the ACL on his right knee.)

The bad news is one never wants to have a fracture, and he will miss time. The good news is this is not season-ending, nor is it comparable to Watt’s displaced fracture that required immediate surgery. Henry should not need any formal surgery with placement of metal, as Watt did.

Henry’s fracture is the kind that cannot be seen on X-ray, so it is hard to place any blame on the medical staff for allowing him to return to the game. Certainly, kudos are due to Henry for toughing it out and continuing to play. And no, there is no indication that he made it worse.

The fracture was likely discovered via MRI. The team can’t risk making it worse with another blow even though he seemed to play well after. Of course, with swelling, Henry is in more pain today and it makes sense he would be using crutches.


The expected return is a minimum of 4-6 weeks, but the team could decide to be safe and use injured reserve with the plan to bring him back.

His season is definitely not over. There are even some new techniques to inject calcium into the fracture area to enhance healing and allow for earlier return.