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Los Angeles Chargers: Effects of Hunter Henry injury

By Tyler Schoon

ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 23: Hunter Henry #86 of the San Diego Chargers fails to pull in this touchdown reception inbounds against Keanu Neal #22 of the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on October 23, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 23: Hunter Henry #86 of the San Diego Chargers fails to pull in this touchdown reception inbounds against Keanu Neal #22 of the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on October 23, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – DECEMBER 24: Buster Skrine #41 of the New York Jets is called for pass interference on a pass intended for Mike Williams #81 of the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half of an NFL game at MetLife Stadium on December 24, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – DECEMBER 24: Buster Skrine #41 of the New York Jets is called for pass interference on a pass intended for Mike Williams #81 of the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half of an NFL game at MetLife Stadium on December 24, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

The “good side” of Henry’s injury

Antonio Gates could get his swan song

A decision to bring back Gates would be the ultimate farewell for a player who is possibly the greatest receiving threat the Chargers have ever had. One more year, one last hurrah. The team was clearly prepared to move on from him, a decision I had no problem with. But man, wouldn’t it be amazing to see him show up motivated (and maybe even a little angry) for one final year?

If there were any fans at StubHub last season, it was definitely during the Miami game; fans let their voices be heard as their beloved player broke the single season record for receiving touchdowns previously held by Tony Gonzalez. Something tells me those fans would love to see No. 85 out there again.

More opportunities for Mike Williams

Fighting for targets behind Keenan Allen, Tyrell Williams, Hunter Henry and Melvin Gordon has to be tough. However, the loss of a true big bodied, catch-it-all tight end leaves plenty of opportunity for the former No. 7 selection to step up. He’s technically smaller than Tyrell Williams, but has a higher aptitude for making those big-time contested catches as he did in college.

What a better way to establish yourself on the team than to be placed into a role that highlights your strengths? He’s not going to run routes like Allen, or fly down the sidelines like Benjamin, but boy does he have the ability to make tough grabs look easy (well, he did in college).

Chance for another player to make the roster

This one is the most “exciting”. Without injuries to Keenan Allen, we may have no Tyrell Williams. If Jason Verrett stays healthy, the team never opens the door for Casey Hayward to become the face of the secondary and Trevor Williams might not get his chance to develop on the field. Injuries are horrible, but they do open doors for other players.

Next: NFL 2018: Ranking all 32 starting RBs

Maybe Dylan Cantrell, the team’s 2018 sixth-round selection, converts to tight end and isn’t buried at receiver behind the current starters. Jeff Cumberland, a player very familiar with the Chargers, could get a chance to shine during games as he did last pre-season during his stint with the team. You just never know the ripple effect an injury could have, and we could very well have a player emerge to strengthen the depth of this team because of it.

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