The Chargers held out hope all year long that if they made the playoffs, they'd somehow be able to get Hunter Henry back in the fold.
Well, that's exactly what's happened as the Bolts activated the tight end to the 53-man roster from the Physically Unable to Perform list on Monday. He replaces linebacker Jatavis Brown, who was placed on the reserve-injured list with an ankle injury.
No one knows exactly how much Henry will play as Head Coach Anthony Lynn told reporters he'd likely be on some sort of pitch count if he returned. However, there's no denying the 24-year old's ability as a top-tier tight end.
Henry started 13 of 14 games a year ago, hauling in 45 passes for 579 yards and four TDs. As a rookie in 2016, he led the Chargers with eight touchdown catches while catching 36 passes for 478 yards. His eight TDs tied for most in the NFL by a tight end and tied for second in the NFL among all rookies.
Unfortunately, the third-year tight end has been sidelined since May after tearing his ACL on the first day of OTAs. It hasn't been an easy road back, but he returned to practice on Monday, Dec. 17. That opened up a 21-day window in which the Chargers either had to activate Henry, or he'd be ineligible to play until next season.
Now, Henry's set to make his debut Sunday vs. New England as the Chargers head to Foxborough to take on the Patriots in the Divisional Round.
