Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden II didn't have the best first half of his rookie career on Sunday Night Football against the Pittsburgh Steelers. But concern quickly turned from Gadsden's play in the first half to an injury.
After getting tangled up on a run block in the third quarter, the Syracuse product exited the game and didn't return. The Chargers listed him with a knee injury.
Gadsden was seen postgame in the locker room with what appeared to be a light wrap or brace around the injured left knee. ESPN's Adam Schefter confirmed Monday morning that the Chargers tight end would undergo an MRI for further evalutation.
The results of that MRI came back Monday, and with them, Chargers fans around the country were heard breathing a collective sigh of relief. Gadsden is considered day-to-day with a quad bruise on his knee.
Chargers catch a huge break with Oronde Gadsden II's injury
Many speculated that Gadsden could've had a bone bruise, but it turns out his injury was even less severe. Apparently, the MRI only picked up a quad bruise. Instead of being out for multiple weeks or having potential structural damage to his knee, there's a chance that the Bolts' rookie tight end suits up for Week 11 vs. Jacksonville.
Prior to the injury on Sunday Night Football, Gadsden was on a heater. He had 68+ yards in each of his last four contests before the Pittsburgh game.
Despite his struggles in the first half, Justin Herbert didn't stop looking for him. He's a core part of this offense now and the Chargers are lucky not to have lost him for possibly any of their last seven games. Even if Gadsden were to miss the Jaguars game, he'd then have a full bye week to recover.
If Gadsden can't suit up, veterans Will Dissly and Tyler Conklin would absorb the workload. Dissly has gone from the starting tight end to a healthy scratch after Gadsden's emergence.
This was the best-case scenario for the Chargers. In a season with bad injury luck, they catch a break with the rookie tight end out of Syracuse.