Los Angeles Chargers TE Antonio Gates to attend LaDainian Tomlinson's HOF induction

Los Angeles Chargers tight end Antonio Gates will attend former teammate LaDainian Tomlinson's Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Saturday.

Gates, however, will not be accompanied by quarterback Philip Rivers, who will remain with the team for Saturday's joint practice with the Los Angeles Rams, coach Anthony Lynn said.

"Antonio's going to go and be with L.T. 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 L.T. as well.

"But like I said, we're all good. L.T.'s happy. And this whole deal is about L.T., anyway."

The news comes on the heels of an earlier report that stated Lynn told Gates and Rivers that they would not be allowed to miss Saturday's practice to attend Tomlinson's festivities in Canton, Ohio.

Gates, Rivers and Tomlinson were teammates with the Chargers for six seasons.

"We had a good talk; fortunately he was understanding," the 37-year-old 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."

A former NFL MVP and five-time Pro Bowl selection, Tomlinson spent nine seasons with the Chargers and played two years with the New York Jets, rushing for 13,684 yards and compiling 162 total touchdowns (17 receiving). He is the league's No. 5 all-time rusher.