Los Angeles Chargers lose Hunter Henry to ACL injury

Chargers receivers can’t avoid the injury bug as Hunter Henry goes down

Los Angeles Chargers tight end Hunter Henry will miss the entire season after suffering a torn ACL. Henry was set to be the Chargers number one tight end after Los Angeles opted to not re-sign veteran Antonio Gates.

The 35th overall pick in 2016 out of Arkansas, Henry has over 1,000 career receiving yards and 12 touchdowns in 29 games. Henry set career-highs in receptions, yards, and catch percentage last season as he surpassed Gates as the starter.

Behind Henry on the Chargers current depth chart are Virgil Green, Braedon Bowden, Sean Culkin, Ben Johnson, and Cole Hunt, the later two being undrafted rookies.

Gates more than likely becomes a prime free agent target for the Chargers after playing all 15 seasons of his Hall of Fame career with the franchise. Turning 38-years-old in June Gates is the top tight end available on the free agent market with 114 career touchdowns and eight Pro Bowl selections.

Brent Celek, Coby Fleener, Julius Thomas, Martellus Bennett, and Marcedes Lewis are among the other available tight ends in free agency.

Los Angeles receivers are no stranger to injuries with Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Tyrell Williams have each missed time in the last two years.

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Henry’s ACL injury is the second suffered by an NFL player on Tuesday with Eagles linebacker Paul Worrilow going down early in practice. It’s another glaring reason for why stars searching for contracts, such as Le’Veon Bell, Julio Jones, and Aaron Donald won’t participate in the voluntary workouts.