The Los Angeles Chargers suffered a huge blow before they even began training camp. Tight end Hunter Henry was supposed to be the next great Charger tight end. LA believed in him so much that they decided not to bring back one of the greatest players in franchise history, Antonio Gates. The team received the worst of news opening up OTA’s where Henry went down with a knee injury that will subsequently end his season.

Adam Schefter of ESPN was the first to report the news:

Stunner from LA: Chargers’ TE Hunter Henry suffered a season-ending torn ACL today, per league source. Did it during a drill, running downfield, untouched. Second opinion coming Wednesday.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 23, 2018

Henry, 23, was a second-round pick from the University of Arkansas back in 2016. The team has really groomed him under Antonio Gates. In limited playing time the past two years, Henry notched 81 receptions, 1,057 yards, and 11 touchdowns over his career. Henry was really supposed to breakout as the main option this upcoming season but obviously will not contribute this year after tearing his ACL.

The Chargers are really desperate at tight end now. Virgil Green is really the only option on the roster at the moment. LA really should consider re-signing Antonio Gates because Green isn’t going to get it down for a team that really has a loaded roster. Green is really only known for his in-line blocking. Gates didn’t have the best year because he’s long in the tooth but could produce if he’s the only pass-catching tight end option.

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Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Tyrell Williams will have to take a bigger load of the offense. Melvin Gordon and Danny Woodhead can also take some pressure off franchise quarterback Philip Rivers in the receiving game as well. The Chargers have big expectations coming into this season after making the playoffs despite starting out the previous season at 0-4.

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