The San Diego Chargers placed Pro Bowl tight end Antonio Gates on season-ending injured reserve Thursday, four days after their playoff quest ended with a road loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Gates, an eighth-year pro, was selected to the Pro Bowl on Tuesday for the seventh consecutive season despite playing in just 10 games. Still, he had 50 receptions for 782 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Gates sustained a torn right plantar fascia during a Week 6 loss to the St. Louis Rams. His pain was so bad that he was unable to practice most weeks.
The Chargers filled Gates' roster spot by signing fullback Billy Latsko off the practice squad.