Antonio Gates is down for the first four games of the season. He’s been suspended by the league for using performance-enhancing drugs.
Gates says he was attempting to recover from injuries suffered during the 2014 regular season and did not knowingly violate the policy. But he’s accepting that he’s ingested banned substances and will be on the dock for the first four weeks of the season.
This is a blow to Philip Rivers. Gates was his primary option around the end zone last year. Also, of course, a blow to Gates himself; he’s now guaranteed to miss at least 25 percent of the season.
But others might actually benefit from this development. Ladarius Green, for example, is a talented tight end who probably should have played a lot more last year. He should be more involved. He now makes sense as a late-round choice in fantasy leagues. My only issue with Green is that he’s too much like Jared Cook – a thin, receiver-type guy who doesn’t have enough bulk to serve as a traditional tight end.
The Gates injury might also benefit the team’s wide receivers. Keenan Allen might get a few more looks, and I like the potential of their No. 3 receiver, Stevie Johnson, who’s replacing Eddie Royal. They’ve also got Malcom Floyd, who’s mostly a deep threat.
—Ian Allan