Los Angeles Chargers tight end Antonio Gates, an eight-time Pro Bowler who played last in 2018, announced his retirement on Tuesday. The 39-year-old is the team's all-time leader in catches (955), receiving yards (11,841) and touchdowns (116). Gates and quarterback Philip Rivers combined for 89 touchdowns, which is the most in NFL history by a tight end-quarterback tandem. Gates is the league's all-time touchdown leader among tight ends and is only the 22nd player in history to catch at least 900 passes. His 955 catches rank No. 17 all time and third among tight ends. He'll go down as one of the greatest ever at his position and will surely be elected to the Hall of Fame when he's eligible.
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn said the return of veteran tight end Antonio Gates is "absolutely" a possibility for the 2019 season. Gates has very little left and would likely be third on the tight end depth chart behind Hunter Henry and Virgil Green if he returned as a free agent. He had just 28 catches for 333 yards and two touchdowns in a full season in 2018. Gates is no longer fantasy relevant if he returns for another season.
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Antonio Gates isn't ready to close the book on his playing career just yet. "I just don't see myself walking away with this taste," Gates said after his team's 41-28 loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday. "And plus this team. I think when you add Hunter [Henry] back, and hopefully we get Jason Verrett back -- shoot, the sky's the limit. And I want to be a part of it." However, it might be unlikely that the Chargers want to bring back the 38-year-old future Hall of Famer after he played the 2018 season on a one-year deal. He had 28 catches for 333 yards and two touchdowns in the regular season and added five catches for 41 yards and a touchdown on Sunday. With Hunter Henry coming back in 2019, Gates wouldn't be a fantasy option if he returns to LA for one more season. Gates is the Chargers all-time leader in catches (960), receiving yards (11,882) and touchdowns (117).
Los Angeles Chargers tight end and future Hall of Famer Antonio Gates had a good night against the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday. Gates hauled in four of five targets and rumbled his way for 54 yards in the critical game. He showed that while hes clearly a ways down the depth chart when it comes to receiving options on any given play, hes still got great hands and gives his all to get the extra yards on every play. Gates isnt really a fantasy option due to his lack of usage, but it is great to see him haul in a few more passes and knock some of those young guns around when they try to bring him down with weak little arm tackles.
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Antonio Gates got another chance to connect with Philip Rivers on Sunday as his QB found him for a pair of catches on the day. One of those was even for a critical first down that reminded the home crowd of the pairs incredible history together. While Gates is destined for Canton whenever he decides to finally hang up his cleats for good, his name carries far more respect than his performance at this juncture in his career. This was Gates first multi-catch game in nearly a month, and hes only averaging 1.5 catches per game this season. Outside of a Chargers fan wanting to go down as the last owner to own Gates in their league, he should not be on anyones roster.
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Antonio Gates got a surprise moment in the sun last week when he ripped the Broncos for 80 yards and a touchdown on five receptions, but fantasy owners should probably treat it as a fluke for now. While the performance was wonderful to see for historical reasons, Gates had only recorded four receptions in his previous four games combined, and it took him six previous games to tally up 80 yards. The touchdown was also his first in seven weeks. The sneak attack certainly worked against Denver, but it's highly unlikely that it's a sign of things to come. Expect quarterback Philip Rivers to lean more heavily on younger, more explosive receivers this week.
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Antonio Gates (knee) missed practice on Thursday for the second day in a row. It doesn't look good for Gates' status in Week 11 against the Broncos, but he could have a chance at playing if he practices on Friday. The 38-year-old has been a non-factor all year for fantasy owners, catching only 13 passes on 22 targets for 141 yards and one touchdown. Even if he suits up on Sunday, he's off the fantasy radar. Virgil Green could see a bigger pass-catching role if Gates sits out, but he'd be a desperation TE2 play, at best.
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Antonio Gates was brought back as the team's shot at replacing Hunter Henry after he was lost for the season, and so far, Gates has been a shadow of his former self. Gates is still in there and catches a couple passes each game, but there's basically no yards after catch and he's way down the list of options on any given play. However, he still has his moments. On Sunday against the Niners, with the team down 14-0, Gates came through by snagging his 115th career touchdown pass. That moved him into 6th all-time, and it started the comeback that led to a Chargers victory. From a fantasy standpoint, Gates should only be owned in extremely deep leagues, but it's still nice to see a future Hall-of-Famer doing his thing.
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Antonio Gates (illness) is active in Week 3 against the Rams. Gates played just 11 snaps in the Week 2 win over the Bills and didn't record a catch. He'll remain a red-zone option for the Chargers, but he's unlikely to see the field enough to warrant a start in fantasy lineups.
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Travis Benjamin (foot) and tight end Antonio Gates (illness) are both questionable for Week 3 against the Rams. Benjamin didn't play last week and caught just one of his five targets in Week 1. He's a boom-or-bust deep threat with a bad matchup if he plays. Stay away from him. Gates played just 11 snaps in Week 2 and likely won't play much even if he's active. He should be left to the waiver wire at this point. Virgil Green would benefit from a bigger role if Gates doesn't play, but Green is more of a blocker than pass-catcher.
Antonio Gates
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Chargers
