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Antonio Gates is set to make his 2015 debut after serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's Policy and Program for performance-enhancing substances. So what should fantasy owners make of his return?
Gates has forever been the favorite target of quarterback Philip Rivers. But Rivers has also found a reliable weapon in Ladarius Green, the tight end who took over for Gates while he sat out the first four games.
Green tallied 174 yards and two scores in just three games this year, so it's tough to see the Chargers casting him off just because Gates is coming back. That doesn't seem plausible, and it shouldn't happen.
It's also anybody's guess as to how well Gates will perform during his first game back. He could explode for 100-plus yards and two touchdowns, but he could also drop a few balls while shaking the rust off from his extended offseason.
If the Chargers were smart, they'd find a way to utilize both Gates and Green, similar to what the New England Patriots did with Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. Gates has showed over his illustrious career that he can dominate in the NFL, and though Green is still raw, he too has shown that he can produce.
San Diego faces the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football this week, and Gates is sure to see some action in his highly-anticipated return. The question is: How much?
