San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates will play against the Arizona Cardinals on Monday. He was dealing with a hamstring injury and missed some practice time during the week. Gates popped up on the injury report on Saturday and was a game-time decision for this contest.
Antonio Gates is active vs. Cardinals, should split fantasy production with Ladarius Green
Antonio Gates is going to play vs. the Cardinals. We break down the fantasy implications.
Thearon W. Henderson
Gates has been a red-zone favorite for quarterback Philip Rivers for the past five years, and he's also been a go-to guy in the preseason while the first unit was out there. Even though he may be less than 100 percent, he should still get some targets against a banged-up Cardinals secondary and could hit pay dirt to start his season.
On the other side of the coin, this news is tough to swallow for fans of second-year sensation Ladarius Green. He had been lining up all over the field down the stretch last season as well as last month in the preseason.
Fantasy impact: With Gates ready to go, it's going to be tough to use Gates and Green in fantasy. Although, Green can stretch the field and cornerback Patrick Peterson should stick Keenan Allen, which could open up some deep balls elsewhere. Allen and Floyd should still get their targets and Gates playing doesn't affect their values too much.
