Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers Among Fantasy NFL Week 15 Fallers

Antonio Gates is at risk of missing another week of the fantasy playoffs. Are you at further risk of losing him for the Week 16 Championship?

Aaron Rodgers is questionable for Week 15 against the New England Patriots, but which early season fantasy quarterback is struggling for a Super Bowl contender?

Which other players are done for the season and which ones should fantasy owners avoid as they hope to advance in the fantasy playoffs?

Chris Ivory, New Orleans Saints RB

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CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 05: Chris Ivory #29 of the New Orleans Saints runs with the ball during the NFL game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Saints won 34-30. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Gett

Ivory was fantastic against the Bengals two weeks ago.

Of all times for him to hurt his hamstring, this was not it. Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas are now back for the Saints.

It remains to be seen exactly how Sean Payton will dish out the carries. At this point, with three capable backs on the rotation, this is one backfield to avoid for the fantasy playoffs.

Last Week’s Falling RB in Week 14:

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NEW ORLEANS - SEPTEMBER 26: Pierre Thomas #23 of the New Orleans Saints in action during the game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Louisiana Superdome on September 26, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Pierre Thomas, NO: 12 carries, 39 yards, 4 receptions, 29 yards

Other Notable Performances and Notes:

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DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 13: Adrian Peterson #28 and Tavaris Jackson #7 of the Minnesota Vikings prior to the start of the game against the New York Giants on December 13, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

Jahvid Best, DET: 13 carries, 38 yards, one reception, four yards

LeGarrette Blount, TB: 15 carries, 68 yards, Fumble

Jamaal Charles, KC: 10 carries, 40 yards, two receptions, nine yards

Ronnie Brown, MIA: 16 carries, 55 yards, Fumble

Adrian Peterson, MIN: 14 carries, 26 yards

Lee Evans, Buffalo Bills WR

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ORCHARD PARK, NY - NOVEMBER 14: Lee Evans #83 of the Buffalo Bills makes a finger tip catch against Chris Houston #23 of the Detroit Lions at Ralph Wilson Stadium on November 14, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. The Bills won 14-12. (Photo by Rick Stewar

Evans had been a decent flex play this season with Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback.

Evans suffered a high ankle sprain Week 14 against Cleveland and has already been put on injured reserve.

He should be dropped in all leagues.

Last Week’s Falling WR in Week 14:

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 05: Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys looks on against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Scott Boehm/Getty Images)

Dez Bryant, DAL: On Injured Reserve (Ankle)

Other Notable Performances and Notes:

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 14: Terrell Owens #81 of the Cincinnati Bengals walks off of the field following the Bengals 23-17 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in the NFL game at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 14, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Colts won 23-

Terrell Owens, CIN: one reception, 22 yards

Braylon Edwards, NYJ: one reception, 17 yards

Steve Smith, NYG: one reception, 12 yards

Jeremy Maclin, PHI: one reception, 11 yards

Mike Williams, TB: one reception, 15 yards

Mark Sanchez, New York Jets QB

Nick Laham/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 12: Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets against the Miami Dolphins at New Meadowlands Stadium on December 12, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Sanchez started the season hot with one interception and eight touchdowns in the first six games of the season. Now, he has thrown at least one interception in eight straight games.

Despite a great supporting cast, Sanchez is simply not getting it done for the Jets, costing them and potential fantasy owners wins.

Sanchez has clearly lost his confidence and you should as well.

Last Week’s Falling QB in Week 14:

Leon Halip/Getty Images

DETROIT - DECEMBER 13: Quarterback Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings covers his face with his hand during the game against the New York Giants at Ford Field on December 13, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. The Giants defeated the Vikings 21-3. (Photo by

Brett Favre, MIN: Did not play (Shoulder)

Other Notable Performances and Notes:

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DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 12: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers leaves the field at halftime after leaving the game with a concussion while playing the Detroit Lions on December 12, 2010 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/

Carson Palmer, CIN: 20 for 32 (62.5 completion percentage), 178 yards, TD, 3 INT

Chad Henne, MIA: 5 for 18 (27.8 completion percentage), 55 yards, TD, two Fumbles

Tarvaris Jackson, MIN: 15 for 30 (50.0 completion percentage), 118 yards, INT

Jay Cutler, CHI: 12 for 26 (46.2 completion percentage), 152 yards, 2 INT, Fumble

Eli Manning, NYG: 22 for 37 (59.5 completion percentage), 187 yards, TD, 2 INT

Aaron Rodgers, GB: Questionable Week 15 @ New England Patriots (concussion)

Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers TE

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SAN DIEGO - DECEMBER 05: Antonio Gates #85 of the San Diego Chargers looks on from the sideline against the Oakland Raiders at Qualcomm Stadium on December 5, 2010 in San Diego, California. The Raiders defeated the Chargers 28-13. (Photo by Jeff Gross/G

Gates missed another game Week 14 with the foot injury. He once stated that he could be shut down for the rest of the season but now has retracted that statement.

Regardless, this is clearly not good for the Hall of Fame tight end. The foot is bothering him and even if he were to gut it out, he may not be effective enough for fantasy owners striving to make the fantasy championship.

It is no guarantee that Gates will suit up Thursday night against the San Francisco 49ers.

Last Week’s Falling TE in Week 14:

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CHARLOTTE, NC - NOVEMBER 21: Todd Heap #86 of the Baltimore Ravens against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on November 21, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Todd Heap, BAL: Did not play (Hamstring)

Other Notable Performances and Notes:

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LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 15: Chris Cooley #47 of the Washington Redskin runs onto the field against the Philadelphia Eagles on November 15, 2010 at FedExField in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Chris Cooley, WAS: two receptions, 22 yards

Randy McMichael, SD: two receptions, 26 yards

Aaron Hernandez, NE: two receptions, 19 yards

Dustin Keller, NYJ: three receptions, 34 yards

Jimmy Graham, NO: one reception, 21 yards