Catches two passes

Gates caught both of his targets for 19 yards in the 26-10 win Sunday over the Raiders.

Analysis: Gates was used minimally during the game as the Chargers held a comfortable lead throughout. The veteran tight end has played over 30 snaps just once through five weeks, and remains a longshot in terms of a fantasy option.

Snares touchdown in win

Gates caught two of his five targets for 27 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 29-27 win over the 49ers.

Analysis: Gates corralled his first touchdown of the season late in the first quarter, gathering in a five-yard red-zone pass to put the Chargers up seven points in the opening frame. Other than the touchdown, however, the ageless veteran put together another typically mundane performance, ripping off a 22-yard catch-and-run for his only other play of the game. Virgil Green's grasp of the starting spot was as firm as ever Sunday, as the former Broncos tight end participated in 74 percent of the team's…read more

Plays through vertigo in Week 3

Gates caught three of five targets for 45 yards Sunday in the Chargers' 35-23 loss to the Rams.

Analysis: Gates' reception, target and yardage totals were all season bests in what amounted to an impressive showing for the 38-year-old, who had been listed as questionable on the Chargers' injury report heading into the weekend with an illness. The 16-year veteran offered more clarity into the matter after Sunday's contest, revealing that he had been battling bouts of dizziness and light-headedness throughout the past week and had been diagnosed with vertigo. Gates could receive more frequent rest in…read more

Suits up Sunday

Gates (illness) is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Rams.

Analysis: Gates, who didn't re-sign with the Chargers until Sept. 2, could potentially recapture his previous red-zone chemistry with QB Philip Rivers down the road, but until that happens, he'll remain a speculative fantasy play.

Expected to play Sunday

Gates (illness), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Rams, is expected to play, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Analysis: The ailment caused Gates to miss two practices this week, with the tight end only returning to the field in a limited capacity. Gates has apparently made enough progress in his recovery over the last couple of days for the Chargers to feel optimistic about his availability, but the 38-year-old may only be slated for a limited role behind Virgil Green. After logging 33 offensive snaps in the season-opening loss to the Chiefs, Gates only played 11 snaps in the Week 2 triumph over the Bills.

Questionable for Week 3

Gates (illness) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Rams.

Analysis: After missing practice both Wednesday and Thursday, Gates logged a limited practice Friday, which suggests he has a good shot to give it a go Sunday. The veteran tight end was on the field for just 11 snaps Week 2 and has been targeted just three times in two games to date. We suppose that Gates, who didn't re-sign with the Chargers until Sept. 2, could conceivably recaptures his previous red-zone chemistry with quarterback Philip Rivers, but until he does, he'll remain a fantasy roll of the…read more

Sits out another practice

Gates (illness) did not practice Thursday.

Analysis: We'll revisit Gates' status Friday, but as long as he's able to practice in any capacity he should be able to suit up Sunday against the Rams. With just two targets through the Chargers' first two games, however, Gates is a speculative fantasy play until he recaptures his previous red-zone chemistry with quarterback Philip Rivers.

Misses practice with illness

Gates sat out Wednesday's practice with an illness.

Analysis: Gates should recover from the ailment in time to suit up Sunday against the Rams, but with just two targets through the Chargers' first two games, the veteran tight end is off the fantasy radar until he recaptures the previous chemistry he displayed with quarterback Philip Rivers in the red zone.

Does not factor in Sunday's results

Gates did not catch his only target in Sunday's 31-20 win over the Bills.

Analysis: Gates only played in 11 offensive snaps as the Chargers raced out to a substantial first half lead. The veteran tight end is expected to be used sparingly, but with a difficult matchup against the Rams next week, Gates could find himself on the field more as another receiving option.

Plays in almost half the team's snaps Sunday

Gates caught two of his three targets for 16 yards in Sunday's 38-28 loss to the Chiefs.

Analysis: It almost seemed like a foregone conclusion Gates would be a healthy inactive Week 1 as the veteran tight end registered just three days of practice prior to Sunday's contest, so it was a genuine surprise to see the 38-year-old not only play but participate in 40 percent of the team's snaps against the Chiefs. Part of that, however, was likely predicated on the game script, as the Chargers trailed throughout the majority of the second half, rendering starting tight end Virgil Green's strong…read more

Suits up Sunday

Gates is not among the Chargers' Week 1 inactives Sunday against the Chiefs.

Analysis: The fact that Gates only recently re-joined the Chargers could lead to him being eased into the mix, but even in a potentially limited role in Week 1, the 38-year-old tight end gives QB Philip Rivers a familiar red-zone weapon to look for.

Week 1 status uncertain

Though Gates has just three days worth of practice to prepare for Sunday's season opener against the Chiefs, he hasn't ruled out playing in the contest, ESPN's Eric D. Williams reports. "I've always been optimistic about playing in a game, whether I was injured or not here -- it didn't matter," Gates said. "So, I think I'm well aware of the preparation that needs to be put in throughout the week to go play a game at the highest level possible. With that being said...it just depends on how I feel leading up to Sunday."

Analysis: Gates' late arrival to the mix could lead to him being eased in, but once he's deemed up to speed conditioning-wise, he figures to fill a key role in the Chargers offense, notably as a red-zone weapon for QB Philip Rivers. The team had been prepared to move on from the 38-year-old tight end, but a serious knee injury suffered by Hunter Henry in May paved the way for Gates' return.

Week 1 status unclear

Gates' role in Sunday's season opener against the Chiefs has yet to be determined, Jack Wang of the Los Angeles Daily News reports. "I don't think you can just throw a guy in the game -- I don't even know if he's going to play," coach Anthony Lynn said of the recently re-signed tight end. "I've got to see what type of shape he is in and go from there. Definitely, he would be on a pitch count."

Analysis: It's therefore not a big surprise that Virgil Green is listed ahead of Gates on the team's initial depth chart, but once the 38-year-old is in game shape, he figures to serve as a steady red-zone threat for QB Philip Rivers, with Hunter Henry having suffered a torn ACL in May.

Signing with Chargers

Gates is signing with the Chargers, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Analysis: The Chargers initially planned on moving on from the 38-year-old tight end, but they acknowledged having some level of interest after Hunter Henry suffered a torn ACL in May. Gates figures to handle a part-time role on passing downs, while Virgil Green likely will serve as the starter and take on a heavier snap count. Given the late timing of the transaction, Gates isn't a lock to be ready for Week 1 against the Chiefs.

Still an option for Chargers

The Chargers are still considering whether to re-sign Gates, Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: A dismal performance from the Chargers' tight ends during Saturday's preseason contest against the Cardinals opened the door for head coach Anthony Lynn to field questions pertaining to the future Hall of Famer. "We've talked to Antonio and we're still talking with him," Lynn said. "I don't know where that's going to go. We need to make more plays at the tight end position." While Virgil Green has reportedly meshed well with QB Philip Rivers, the rest of the depth chart has shown its lack of…read more

Gates is still an option for the Chargers, ESPN.com's Eric D. Williams reports.

Analysis: The Chargers initially planned to move on from the 38-year-old tight end, but they reconsidered the plan after Hunter Henry suffered a torn ACL in May. While the team still hasn't signed Gates, general manager Tom Telesco recently acknowledged that he remains open to the idea. Virgil Green, best known for his blocking, is the only tight end on the Chargers roster (besides Henry) with a catch in the NFL.

The Chargers likely will consider re-signing Gates in the wake of Hunter Henry's torn ACL, Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Two factors played into the Chargers opting to move on from Gates this offseason: his age (38 in June) and a desire to expand the workload of Henry, a 2016 second-round pick. On the first day of OTAs on Tuesday, though, Henry sustained the season-ending injury. The front office is surely scouring the free-agent market for available tight ends, which includes Gates, Julius Thomas and Coby Fleener. Due to his track record with Philip Rivers, Gates is the clear-cut candidate to don the navy, gold…read more

Gates wants to continue playing football, even though the Chargers told him this offseason they don't plan to re-sign him, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Analysis: Having spent his entire career with the Chargers, the 37-year-old tight end widely was expected to decide between re-signing with the team and retiring. It now seems he's considering a third option, one that likely would involve competing for a part-time role while playing for far less than what he's accustomed to earning. Gates didn't appear to have much left in the tank last season, catching 30 of 52 targets for 316 yards (6.1 per target) and three touchdowns in 16 games. His presumed…read more

Gates remains unsigned, making it unclear if he plans to continue playing football, Dan Woike of The Los Angeles Times reports.

Analysis: Gates indicated at the end of last season that he intended to return for another year, presumably planning to re-sign with the only team he's ever played for. Rather than immediately re-signing Gates at the start of the free agency period, the Chargers lured blocking specialist Virgil Green away from Denver. The team may be preparing to give Hunter Henry (abdomen) a typical starter's workload, after watching the 2016 second-round pick haul in 81 of 115 targets for 1,057 yards (9.2 per target)…read more

Gates indicated he plans on returning for the 2018 season, but didn't rule out joining another team during the offseason, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Analysis: Gates quietly faded into a backup role behind emerging young tight end Hunter Henry, but a lacerated spleen in Week 14 to the aforementioned starter thrust the 37-year-old back into the spotlight. Despite a noticeable lack of speed, Gates was still a receiving force to end the campaign, totaling 10 receptions (14 targets), 127 receiving yards and a touchdown over the final two weeks of the season. Gates himself seemed to be pleased with the performance, suggesting it "reinforced" he could still…read more

Gates indicated Sunday following the Chargers' 30-10 victory over the Raiders that he intends to play in the NFL in 2018, Jack Wang of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

Analysis: Though Gates took on even more of a backseat to second-year tight end Hunter Henry in the Chargers' passing attack in 2017, he still proved effective in a secondary role, hauling in 30 of 52 targets for 316 yards and three scores. Gates, who is set to become a free agent this offseason, will turn 38 years old in June and will most likely have to settle for a one-year deal if he elects to keep his career going.

Gates (illness) does not carry an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Raiders.

Analysis: With Hunter Henry (kidney) on IR, Gates figures to be busy in the Chargers' passing game in Week 17 against a beatable Oakland defense. The 37-year-old tight end proved that he can still get it done in Week 16, recording a season-high six catches on eight targets for 81 yards and a TD in the Chargers' 14-7 win over the Jets.

Gates (illness) missed practice Thursday.

Analysis: We suspect that Gates will bounce back in time for Sunday's game against the Raiders, and he'll be needed this weekend, with fellow TE Hunter Henry (kidney) on IR. Gates turned in his best outing of the season in Week 16, logging six catches on eight targets for 81 yards and a TD in the Chargers' 14-7 win over the Jets.

Gates led the way in Sunday's 14-7 win over the Jets with six catches for 81 yards and a touchdown on eight targets.

Analysis: Gates stepped up in a big way in the absence of fellow tight end Hunter Henry (kidney). The 37-year-old tight end got position on 22-year-old rookie safety Jamal Adams for a three-yard touchdown in the second quarter while blowing past his previous season-highs in catches (three) and yards (32). Gates may not have much gas left in the tank speed-wise, but the savvy veteran can still create space with his big body.

Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn suggested that Gates will be part of a committee at tight end with Hunter Henry (kidney) out for the season, Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Analysis: While Henry's absence frees up quite a few snaps and targets, the Chargers seem to view Gates as a passing-down specialist at this advanced stage of his career. Jeff Cumberland and Sean McGrath should take on some of the vacated early-down snaps, while the Chargers' wideouts could help with the targets. The injury does help Gates' prospects for Week 16 against the Jets, but he's still unlikely to match Henry's recent level of production.

Gates caught one of three targets for a 10-yard touchdown in Saturday's 30-13 loss to the Chiefs.

Analysis: Gates tied for fifth on the team in targets, but his 10-yard touchdown grab in the third quarter briefly gave his team its only lead of the evening. The emergence of Hunter Henry has coincided with Gates catching one or no passes in seven of the last nine games, making a return to the end zone highly unlikely in next week's matchup with the Jets, though we'll at least note Henry did leave Saturday's game with an injury of unknown severity.

Gates caught three of his four targets for 32 yards in Sunday's 19-10 win over the Browns.

Analysis: The Chargers repeatedly took advantage of their opposition's inability to cover the tight end, as Hunter Henry and Gates combined for 10 catches for 113 yards. The future Hall of Famer has firmly taken a back seat to his younger predecessor, but should Henry succumb to any sort of injury, Gates could still have some viability as a fantasy asset.

Gates did not record a catch in the 54-24 win over the Bills on Sunday.

Analysis: While Gates was targeted twice throughout the game, the veteran tight end was rarely needed thanks largely to a stellar performance from the team's defense. With Hunter Henry receiving a major share of the tight- end snaps, Gates should not be considered a fantasy asset at this stage in his career.