Week 7 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Antonio Gates and 5 Injured Stars You Can Start

Diligent fantasy owners are always concerned when news leaks out about an injury to one of their star players.  Fortunately, not all injuries are worth panicking over.

In fact, there are some injury-plagued players that are safe bets to post quality numbers this week.

As owners prepare their lineups, lets take a look at some players who you can safely start despite their injuries.

Antonio Gates, TE, San Diego Chargers

Owners of tight end Antonio Gates are most likely fed up with all the injuries that have hampered him recently.

Having only played in one game this season due to a foot injury, it was finally announced that Gates would see game action in Week 7 against the New York Jets.

Foot injuries are always worrisome for pass-catching tight ends, especially aging ones.  But when a stud like Gates is active, you have to start him.

Even if he sees his snap count limited, Gates is still a lock to be heavily featured in the red zone.  

Prediction: Six catches, 80 yards, one touchdown

Jimmy Graham, TE, New Orleans Saints

Sticking with the theme of tight ends, Jimmy Graham was a surprising name on the injury report for the New Orleans Saints.

Graham sat out Wednesday and Thursday practices with an ankle injury.  The good news, however, is that he returned on a limited basis on Friday and is listed as probable for Sunday's matchup with the Indianapolis Colts.

I shouldn't have to tell you to start Graham when healthy.  He has become the leagues most dangerous tight end and now faces a Colts defense that has been poor at best.  

Coming off his fourth consecutive game with 100 yards, Graham is now looking to break Tony Gonzalez's record for most consecutive 100-yard games.  

Start him with confidence.

Prediction: Eight catches, 110 yards, one touchdown

Percy Harvin, WR, Minnesota Vikings

Wide receiver Percy Harvin is no stranger to the injury report.  

This time, Harvin sat out Wednesday's practice due to a rib injury he sustained in last week's game against the Chicago Bears.  However, he participated the last two days and is probable to see plenty of reps against the Green Bay Packers this week.

Most owners have been generally disappointed with Harvin so far this season, and that is due largely to nagging injuries and ineptitude at the quarterback position.

Luckily, one of those problems has been fixed.  The Minnesota Vikings announce that they have made rookie Christian Ponder their starting quarterback for the remainder of the season, replacing the aging Donovan McNabb.

In limited action last week, Ponder looked Harvin's way frequently and the two hooked up for a pair of medium gains.  The chemistry between the two is strong, and owners can expect an uptick in production from Harvin from here on out.

With the Vikings likely playing catch-up all game against the Green Bay Packers, don't be surprised if Harvin puts up quality numbers.

Prediction: Five catches, 90 yards AND 30 rushing yards

Willis McGahee, RB, Denver Broncos

Running back Willis McGahee has been a nice waiver addition for those owners wise enough to pick him up.  

This week, however, McGahee did not practice at all due to soreness in his back.  Fortunately, the Denver Broncos' website still expects him to start against the Miami Dolphins.

In his last two starts, McGahee has run for 227 yards and has shown a vitality that most did not expect from the 30-year-old veteran. 

While Miami's 12th-ranked run defense may limit his potential, McGahee is still a sure bet to see the bulk of his team's carries.

However, he is only a RB2 now that quarterback Tim Tebow is likely to take some goal-line carries away from him.

Prediction: 90 yards, one touchdown

Brandon Marshall, WR, Miami Dolphins

The league's premier diva wide receiver has been bitten by the injury bug yet again.

This week, Brandon Marshall missed practices due to a quad injury.  Owners can breathe a sigh of relief, however, because he is listed as probable for the game against the Denver Broncos.

Most people projected Marshall to have poor numbers last week because he had a new starting quarterback throwing to him and he was covered by  Darrelle Revis.  To the surprise of many, he instead caught six balls for 109 yards.

If last week showed anything, it's that new starting quarterback Matt Moore is not afraid to throw to his favorite target no matter who is covering him.

That is good news, because this week Marshall will be going up against shutdown corner Champ Bailey.

A PPR stud, expect Marshall to post solid numbers against his former team.

Prediction: Six catches, 110 yards