It’s been a couple of weeks since any news about tight end Antonio Gates reuniting with the Los Angeles Chargers has emerged. The Chargers reportedly preferred to sign Gates before training camp, but camp is in full swing and there still hasn’t been any sign of the veteran tight end.

In the meantime, Virgil Green seems to be getting more comfortable in his role as a receiving option for Philip Rivers. The Chargers quarterback voiced his pleasure with the progress he’s made with his starting tight end.

“[Our connection] is growing,” Rivers said, via the Chargers' official website. “We're working through how I like things, what I'm expecting on certain routes. He's getting a feel for this offense. He was in it similarly with [Mike] McCoy [in Denver]. Virgil is going to be just fine. He has played a lot of football and is a good football player. Those kind of things, you'll see more of that and more plays like that.”

Being a more prominent receiving threat will be a new role for the 30-year-old, who has not done much catching over his six-year career. He has just 71 career receptions for 807 yards and four touchdowns. But he’ll inevitably be targeted by Rivers this year, so it bodes well that he’s developing that chemistry with his quarterback.

It remains to be seen what effect, if any, Green’s performance has had on the Chargers’ interest in re-signing Gates. But even if Green does turn out to be a solid starter, the Chargers could still use more depth and experience at the position just in case.