"Antonio Gates seemed to truly not know whether his injured toe will allow him play Sunday against the New England Patriots.

"Part of me is waiting to see," the All-Pro tight end said Thursday after missing a second straight day of practice and emerging from the cold tub. "I've been in a situation where (early in the week) I didn't think I'd play and then I played. And I've been in other situations, well, there actually haven't been any other situations."

Gates could practice Friday, though it is not necessary. He has been in the system since 2003, and he and quarterback Philip Rivers can practically read each others minds on the field. A final decision on Gates' status likely won't be made until Sunday morning.

Gates has never missed a game due to injury, despite battling through a few. He has started 85 regular-season games and played in 91 straight. He did not start one of the Chargers' playoff games in January of 2008, when he suffered a toe injury that required surgery the next month.

"My streak is on the line," he said with a smile. "More important is we're trying to make a run, make a push. The next few games are important to our season. I want to do whatever I can to help and not hurt the team.""