"Antonio Gates will miss his first game since the 2005 season opener, as his various foot injuries will force him to watch from the Reliant stadium sidelines today.

There was hope Gates could make his 88th consecutive regular-season start, but he is unable to run and cut with any confidence on a left foot that features a sprained toe and sprained ankle and a right toe on which he tore his plantar fascia last week against the Tennessee Titans.

Gates did not play in the first game of 2005 while on the Roster Exempt List after a contract holdout. He had worked through numerous injuries to play in 94 consecutive games, including playoffs."