FANTASY FOOTBALL NFL PLAYERS

Posted: 11/6/2009 10:51am et

San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates practiced in full Thursday, Nov. 5, and he will play Week 9.

The Huddle Take: Gates had been dealing with a foot injury and was limited in practice Wednesday. A full workout on Thursday suggests there's no reason to worry about Gates' availability for this weekend's game against the Giants.

Posted: 11/4/2009 11:13pm et

San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (foot) was limited during practice Wednesday, Nov. 4.

The Huddle Take: Gates has played through injuries in the past and this one should be no different. Barring any setbacks this week, Gates will likely be in the lineup when the Chargers take the field on Sunday. He remains a solid No. 1 tight end in all fantasy leagues that utilize the tight end position.

Posted: 8/14/2009 1:21pm et

ESPN.com reports San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates said he believes 2009 will be one of the best seasons of his career because he believes his injury-plagued 2008 season allowed him to become a more complete football player. He said he was able focus on his playbook more last season because he was hurt, which helped him build his knowledge of the offense.

The Huddle Take: Gates may have slipped a few pegs on a lot of Fantasy players' draft cheat sheets, but The Huddle still has him as the No. 1-ranked tight end. He'll be a stud; take him as soon as you can if your league requires a tight end to be picked.

Posted: 5/4/2009 5:49pm et

Bill Williamson, of ESPN.com, reports San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates did not take part in the team's minicamp as a precaution due to a high ankle sprain he suffered late last season, but Gates said he expects to be fine by training camp. He said his big toe that bothered him for nearly a year is "structurally" fine. "I don't know how I got through last season," Gates said. "The toe bothered me for months and then I hurt the ankle. But, somehow, I made it through."

The Huddle Take: It would be nice to see Gates on the field prior to inserting him at or near the top of the fantasy tight end rankings, but we may not get to see him until August. It's a mild concern, but not one that wouldn't be erased with a couple full practices come training camp.

Posted: 1/12/2009 1:14pm et

The San Diego Union-Tribune reports Chargers TE Antonio Gates had an MRI Saturday, Jan. 10, on his injured ankle and will have another this week to determine if he did any further damage after playing in the team's Divisional Round playoff game. Gates took two injections to numb his right ankle prior to the game and did not participate in pregame warmups. He strongly considered not playing but was already on the active list.

The Huddle Take: Don't expect Gates to participate in minicamps, but barring some horrendous revelation from his MRI he should be ready to appear at or very near the top of your tight end fantasy draft list heading into the 2009 season.

Posted: 1/10/2009 4:09pm et

The San Diego Union-Tribune reports Chargers TE Antonio Gates (ankle) said he is experiencing tightness in his Achilles' tendon, which he said is a result of altering his gait because of the ankle. "The part I worry about more than anything is the Achilles'," Gates said.

The Huddle Take: Gates played through his ankle injury to the tune of eight grabs for 87 yards last week, though if it's his Achilles' that's bothering him now that's a little different—and a little more worrisome, especially considering the long-term ramifications.

Posted: 1/5/2009 12:42pm et

ESPN.com reports San Diego Chargers head coach Norv Turner said TE Antonio Gates (ankle) did not aggravate his high ankle sprain during the team's Wild Card playoff game and is making solid improvement with his injury.

The Huddle Take: Despite the injury Gates still managed eight grabs and 87 yards against the Colts, including one key catch late in the game in which he carried multiple defenders three yards for a first down. He'll need to be healthier when the Chargers visit Pittsburgh this weekend.

Posted: 1/3/2009 7:49pm et

San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (ankle) is active for the team's Wild Card game against the Indianapolis Colts. He is expected to start.

The Huddle Take: Gates will play tonight. Last minute roster changes warranted!

Posted: 1/2/2009 11:20am et

The San Diego Union-Tribune reports San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates' (ankle) ankle injury is beginning to sound more threatening to his availability for the team's playoff game. 'If we were playing today, (Gates) probably wouldn't play,' head coach Norv Turner said. 'We've got two days, though, and I'm optimistic he will be able to play.'

The Huddle Take: That doesn't sound good at all. If you're playing Fantasy playoff football, you should probably look elsewhere for a tight end. And if Gates doesn't play, the value of Philip Rivers' will go down a notch or two as well.

Posted: 12/11/2008 11:20pm et

The North County Times, reports San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates has struggled since catching eight passes against the Kansas City Chiefs Nov. 9. Gates has eight receptions in four games since then and he did not catch any passes against the Oakland Raiders Dec. 4.

The Huddle Take: Gates has just not gotten the opportunities of late for the Chargers as the San Diego offense continues to struggle. Look for Gates to post decent numbers for your fantasy team but not the huge numbers we are accustom to seeing from him in past years. He should be considered a No. 1 tight end and worth starting despite his decrease in production.