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NFL: Chargers tight end Henry suffers knee injury in opener

COSTA MESA, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Chargers are hoping that Hunter Henry can return for a second straight season from a knee injury.

The tight end fractured the upper part of his left tibia during Sunday’s 30-24 overtime win over the Indianapolis Colts. He was injured during the fourth quarter, but returned to the game and played in overtime. He had four receptions for 60 yards, including a 17-yard catch in overtime.

“He came back in and you didn’t even know he was hurt. That says a lot about his toughness,” coach Anthony Lynn said. “We didn’t know the severity of it until after the game.”

Henry tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during offseason workouts last year but returned for the playoffs. The Chargers said on Wednesday that he will continue to be evaluated, but the timeframe for his return is undetermined.

Henry has been one of Philip Rivers’ favorite targets when healthy. He led the league in touchdowns by a tight end with eight during his rookie season in 2016 and was third on Los Angeles in receptions (45) the following season.

Virgil Green will step into the starting lineup with Henry out, but he is more of a blocking tight end. Green has had only two seasons with 19 or more receptions during his nine-year career.

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