Chargers

Jared Gaither’s Time In San Diego Could Be Coming To An End

September 20, 2012

Kevin Acee of the Union-Tribune San Diego writes that he would not be surprised if OT Jared Gaither never played another snap with the Chargers.

“I’m here to tell you that you shouldn’t count on him playing for the Chargers this season. Or ever,” writes Acee. “I didn’t say he won’t play for them. I’m just saying it’s a possibility he won’t, and he is running out of time to do so.”

According to Acee, the Chargers seem to have no idea why Gaither has missed as much time as he has so far.

Gaither hasn’t offered anything definitive either, so it is getting to point where the team could decide to move on and look for a different solution at tackle. San Diego gave him $13.5 million guaranteed just a few months ago, so it would really be surprising to see them move on, considering their investment in his services.

Acee adds that they could file a grievance to prevent them from paying him all of the guaranteed money.

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Chargers OT Jared Gaither is trying to recovery from chronic back spasms, but he has been progressing “very slowly,” which will once again keep him out for this weekend’s matchup against the Atlanta Falcons.

“It’s a tough situation,” said Gaither, via Union-Tribune San Diego. “As soon as I can be back. … My ultimate goal is to be on the field with my guys.”

Gaither’s 2011 season was fairly interesting to say the least. He was cut by the Chiefs after he was penalized at the end of a game, and was later claimed by the Chargers who were in desperate need of help at the tackle position. He went on to play well in the team’s final five games of the season and ultimately earned a four-year contract worth $24.6 million.

Considering Gaither’s history of injuries and the limited amount of productivity he had before they re-signed him, it definitely looks like the Chargers made this move out of desperation, rather objective reasoning. Gaither can still be a great player, but there are always going to be questions regarding his availability.

So far, the Chargers have been able to get by without Gaither manning Phillip Rivers blindside, but they will have to figure out a way to stop John Abraham on Sunday.