AP

One of the Chargers’ stalwarts reportedly has reworked his contract to give the team more salary cap space.

According to NFL writer and salary cap observer Brian McIntyre, Chargers tight end Antonio Gates has had $3 million of his $5 million salary for 2014 turned into a signing bonus.

This gives the Chargers an extra $1.5 million in cap space this season, McIntyre said.

Per NFLPA records, Gates’ 2014 salary is now $2 million. And indeed, per Rotoworld and Spotrac salary data, Gates was on the books for $5 million in salary this season.

According to the NFLPA’s salary cap records, the Chargers have about $7.1 million in salary cap space.

The 34-year-old Gates led the Chargers with 77 catches in 2013. He is questionable for Monday’s season opener at Arizona with a hamstring injury.