Antonio Gates said he’s trying to convince Chargers teammate Malcom Floyd not to allow a recent shoulder injury to end his career.

And to hear Gates on Monday, Floyd is starting to waver.

“I think he was always etched in stone he was going to retire,” Gates said. “But now, I think there’s a little doubt in his mind because of how he went out. I put more doubt in his mind because I want him to come back. I’m like ‘Dude, you can’t go out like this.’ ”

It’s not clear if Floyd, who wasn’t readily available for comment Monday, will return this season from the torn labrum sustained Nov. 9 against the Chicago Bears.


Gates, a teammate since 2004, said Floyd showed he still has the speed to make plays, and the receiver should still be able to create separation from defenders next year.

Coach Mike McCoy has said Floyd is day to day. “He doing whatever he can to get back out there,” McCoy said.

Floyd, 34, went into the Week 9 game averaging 19.5 yards per catch, second-best in the NFL.

Both Gates and Floyd are in their contract years. Gates, for his part, is age 35 and playing through the first MCL sprain of his career.


“I haven’t thought about retiring,” Gates said.