Antonio Gates (Foot) To Play Against Chiefs; Should Dominate

Nothing could keep Antonio Gates from playing against the Chiefs this week.
The Chargers Pro Bowl tight end (and very high fantasy football draft pick) was questionable this week with a foot injury.

But after last week, when he was held without a catch against Bill Belichick's Patriots, there as no way he wouldn't play this week. Being held without a catch is a rarity for Gates, so he's got a bit of a chip on his shoulder and a little extra something to prove.

In a radio interview with a local San Diego radio station, The San Diego Tribune's Kevin Acee said he expects Gates to play.

Now how much he actually plays will remain a mystery. The Chiefs have proven to be one of the worst teams in the league this year, while the Chargers are a team that many pundits and prognosticators picked to go to the Super Bowl. These are two teams going in opposite directions.

So if the Chargers are up by, say, 24 in the third quarter, San Diego head coach Norv Turner will likely not risk further injury on his tight end and will probably sit him. The entire Chargers receiving corps is injure with Malcolm Floyd a game time decision and Vincent Jackson nursing an abdominal issue.

But the Chiefs, who's secondary is also hurting won't be able to cover Gates. If you're wondering about whether or not Gates should be in your lineup, well, he get him in there. Because even if he plays three quarters, he's going to get his fair share of points as Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers will look to get him the ball and back in the game to make up for last week's zero catches and only one target.

Think of Gates like the Incredible Hulk this week. Antonio Gates is angry. And opposing fantasy owners won't like him when he's angry (although his owners will love it when they see "Gates Smash!" the Chiefs.)