NI PXIe-6612 Quadrature Encoder Setup

I plan to use a NI PXIe-6612 and count up to 8 linear quadrature encoder sensors.  

I've determined that quadratures use the Gate, Source and Aux counter I/O.  I would like to know if I can se the Out counter I/O as a static digitial input/output with using the same counter for quadrature encoder sensing.  

Here is an example.  

I connect my quadrature encoder to Counter 1 Gate, Source and Aux connections.  Can I use Counter 1 Out connection as a statis digital I/O?

I plan to use P0.0 to P0.7 as digital outputs and need to use the counter OUT connections for digital inputs.  

Thanks,

ADam