Chargers place TE Gates on PUP list

Jul 25, 2008 - 11:19 PM SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- The San Diego Chargers on Friday placed Pro Bowl tight end Antonio Gates on the physically unable to perform list.

The Chargers also placed center Nick Hardwick, fullback Andrew Pinnock and linebacker Anthony Waters on the "PUP" list.

San Diego's top receiving threat, Gates is still recovering from the surgery he underwent on February 27 to repair a torn plantar plate in his left big toe. Gates suffered the injury in the second quarter of San Diego's AFC divisional playoff win over Tennessee on January 6.

The injury severely limited Gates during the Chargers' postseason run, which ended with a loss to New England in the AFC Championship Game.

Gates, who recorded 75 catches for 984 yards and nine touchdowns in 16 games last season, will be eligible to come off the list once he passes a physical.

San Diego's starting center Hardwick is recovering from a foot injury, while Pinnock and Waters are out with knee injuries.