Antonio Gates sprained his knee 30 days ago.

A month later, he’s still not up to full speed.

“Everybody can see it,” Gates said Monday after the Chargers returned from six days off.

Gates has played in two of three games since he wrenched the knee Oct. 18 at Green Bay.


The tight end made 10 catches over the two games, but looked less mobile than before the injury. Defenders banged him near the line of scrimmage because they didn’t think he could run away. More able to tee him up, they dealt him hard hits after catches.

Gates said it’s all about doing what he can to help, even if he feels like he’s running in mud.

The 10 catches came in 16 targets and totaled 125 yards.

In his two games before the injury, he had 18 catches in 27 targets for 187 yards with two touchdowns.


Gates said it’ll be obvious to all when he’s back to full speed.

If, that is, he can get there. He said he’s not certain it will happen this year because it’s his first MCL sprain.

For now, he’s getting by on know-how more than mobility. A former college basketball star, Gates said he doesn’t think he could dunk a basketball right now, because he lacks the explosiveness.

The recent bye week helped, he said, and he’ll have more recovery time before facing the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.