SAN DIEGO -- San Diego Chargers head coach Mike McCoy did not confirm comments from his player, tight end Antonio Gates, stating that quarterback Philip Rivers has been dealing with a severe rib injury.

“Philip’s never missed a snap in practice, and he hasn’t been in treatment with James (head trainer James Collins) so I would not say it’s a severe injury,” McCoy said.

Asked if Rivers is healthy, McCoy responded: “Yes, he’s going to play this week.”

Gates told a group of reporters in the locker room after Sunday’s win over the Oakland Raiders that Rivers has been playing with a severe rib injury this season.

“He’s been taking shots all year,” Gates said. “For those who don’t know, he’s been dealing with a rib injury, a very severe rib injury. But he’s been toughing it out these last three, four weeks.”

Rivers was sacked twice, and hit at least four other times against Oakland. He had his knee rolled up on, and also got the wind knocked out of him on the second sack of the day by rookie Khalil Mack.

“I’ll be fine,” Rivers said, when asked about any injuries he suffered during the game.

Rivers has not appeared on the injury report all season. He reportedly suffered a hand injury against Miami in San Diego’s game before the bye week, but McCoy said that Rivers being pulled late in the third quarter was not due to an injury.

Rivers is known for his toughness. He played with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee during the 2007 postseason. Rivers currently has started 138 consecutive regular-season games, second only to the active leader New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (161).

Asked why Gates would say his quarterback has a rib injury when he doesn’t, McCoy had this to say:

“At this point of time in the season I think every player has bump or bruise somewhere during the game,” McCoy said. “I think when it comes up like that and it’s your quarterback obviously, I think Antonio was trying to say how tough he is.”

For his part, Gates talked to reporters again on Monday, saying his initial comments were taken out of context.

“I was just talking just in terms of his playing the game, just the typical soreness that comes from playing in this league,” Gates said. “I’ve been playing this league for a long time, so I understand the battles and process of what you have to do to play in a game, and taking care of yourself physically. I’m no doctor by any stretch. My job is to come out here and play, and try and help us win.

“As far as Philip goes, anything pertaining to him or concerning his physical health, that’s something that maybe a trainer, a doctor or maybe himself can answer.”