Antonio Gates Injury: Projecting Fantasy Status for Chargers TE Randy McMichael

With tight end Antonio Gates sidelined for the foreseeable future with a foot injury, the San Diego Chargers have turned to veteran Randy McMichael to take his place. While he's nowhere near as explosive as Gates, McMichael could be a solid fantasy addition for a team in need of a tight end.

McMichael could be starting for at least a few weeks, and with receivers Vincent Jackson and Malcolm Floyd also ailing, quarterback Philip Rivers will need as much help as he can get from receiving targets. Though the 10-year veteran from Georgia isn't a safe bet to put up tons of points, he'll definitely be on the field a lot, and Rivers loves to spread the ball around.

So far this season McMichael has 11 catches for 102 yards and no touchdowns. But much of that damage was done with Gates still active. Over the past two weeks—his first games as the full-time starter this season—McMichael has seven catches for 76 yards. Rivers feels comfortable going to him if other options aren't available and has confidence that the veteran can make a catch and get a few yards after doing so.

McMichael should not be considered a sure-fire No. 1 tight end in any fantasy league. But if you're thin at that position, or if you had Gates as your starter, he could be a solid option as a fill-in guy.

As stated, Rivers loves to spread the ball around to all of his targets, so McMichael will certainly get catches and could be targeted in the red zone in the same way Gates has been.

Pick him up if you're desperate for help at the tight end position.