Fantasy Football: 3 Tight Ends to Pick Up After Antonio Gates' Injury

Antonio Gates sat out Sunday, September 25, and the plantar bursitis in his foot looks like it will bother him for the rest of the season.

This makes it vital that you have a decent backup for you in weeks he doesn't play.

Gates was widely regarded as the best fantasy tight end at the beginning of the year, but after three weeks he has a season total of 7.4 points in my non-PPR league.

Two weeks ago he had one target for zero receptions, snapping his streak of almost three years with a reception in games he started. This alarmed many of us that Gates may not be the tight end this year that we expected him to be. 

Many (myself included) drafted no backup for Gates and are stuck in a sticky situation on what to do with him. 

First, consider trading Gates for any value you can muster out of him, because he will not be a consistent performer this season and during fantasy playoffs. If the Chargers are in a playoff spot, expect him to sit.

In the case you can't make a trade, this slideshow will give you three backups that can service you until the end of the season with a decent amount of points per game to close the gap during those tough matchups. 

Randy McMichael, San Diego Chargers

Owned By: 0.4 percent of NFL.com leagues

Season Points: 7.70

Why?: As backup to Antonio Gates, Randy McMichael has proved that he can be a serviceable during the season due to the Gates injury.

Since he is only owned by 0.4 percent of all NFL.com leagues, you can guarantee that he will be available making your search for a new tight end very simple. It also allows you to drop him on weeks that you do not need the backup and pick him up on weeks that you do. 

As the season continues, look for him and San Diego quarterback Phillip Rivers to get on the same page and McMichael to get more targets and more touchdowns. 

Projection: 5+ points per week

Brandon Pettigrew, Detroit Lions

Owned: 76.3 percent of NFL.com leagues

Season Points: 17.6

Why?: He is available in fewer than a quarter of NFL.com leagues, so pick him up now if you can.

He was the top target for the Lions in Week 3 and No. 2 in Week 1. He is more than a serviceable player to replace Antonio Gates.

Although his shoulder has bothered him, Lions staff has consistently said that it won't be an issue during the season.  

Expecting him to score more than seven or eight points a week would be an easy assumption, as he will continue to rack up the targets and receptions every week.

All of his points currently come from reception yards only, so he's due for a TD in the upcoming weeks.

If Matthew Stafford can stay healthy, and with the exceptional performance of Calvin Johnson lately, teams will look to double team the outside, leaving Pettigrew with plenty of points every game.

Projection: 8+ points per week

Leonard Pope, Kansas City Chiefs

Owned: 0.1 percent of NFL.com leagues

Season Points: 12.5 (9.2 in Week 3)

Why?: Pope seems to be starting to fit into his starting role on a team that has been a major disappointment.

He is massive (6'8", 270 pounds), and that should help him get TD receptions in the red zone with his ability to catch jump balls.

After a season-ending injury to Tony Moeaki, Pope's preseason stock went up greatly. But in the first two weeks, he failed to provide any decent amount of points.

If he can keep his production up to Week 3 levels, he is for sure a viable option to place as your tight end.

The Chiefs are a bad team this year, due to injury and other circumstances. Pope looks to be the bright spot in an offense that needs his performance. Look for him to start getting a lot of red-zone targets.

Projection: 7+ points per week