Chargers' Antonio Gates will attend LaDainian Tomlinson's induction ceremony

COSTA MESA, Calif. -- Los Angeles Chargers coach Anthony Lynn and tight end Antonio Gates had a meeting of the minds this week and determined that the longtime Chargers tight end will attend former teammate LaDainian Tomlinson's Hall of Fame induction on Saturday.

Lynn also said that quarterback Philip Rivers will stay with the team for Saturday's joint practice with the Los Angeles Rams at the StubHub Center, as previously reported.

"Antonio's going to go and be with LT at the Hall of Fame, and Philip's going to stay and be with the team," Lynn said. "We're going to the StubHub for the first time. It's a dress rehearsal for our organization, for our players. We've got a lot of things to work through that day, and Philip wants to be there. He was torn. He wants to be with LT as well.

"But like I said, we're all good. LT's happy. And this whole deal is about LT, anyway."

According to a report earlier this week, Lynn told Gates and Rivers they wouldn't be allowed to miss Saturday's practice to attend Tomlinson's Hall of Fame induction ceremony. However, Lynn told reporters on Monday that the organization was still mulling the decision.

Gates said he had a conversation with Lynn before deciding to go back to Canton for the induction festivities.

"We had a good talk; fortunately he was understanding," Gates said. "It's hard because you have something going on here. You want to be in both places. Then you've just got to try to figure out and pick what could you not get back. And that's what I had to come up with.

"Coach [Lynn] was very, very understanding -- unbelievable in how he understands. And he's played in this league, so you wouldn't expect nothing less than a guy like that who understands how to run a team and understands players. And that's what's important. He really understands people. He was able to say, fine, you can go."