The San Diego Chargers are hoping to have Antonio Gates and Ladarius Green active in Week 11 with Malcom Floyd still sidelined for the team with an injury. Steve Johnson is a fantasy start option along with Melvin Gordon and Danny Woodhead for Philip Rivers as the Chargers deal with injuries heading into the weekend.
The Chargers are coming off of a bye week and that could help the injured players get back to full strength in time to play the Chiefs this weekend. Gates comes in dealing with a knee injury and he was able to play before the bye against the Bears in Week 9 on Monday night football. According to the Union-Tribune San Diego, Gates was able to practice on Wednesday, but it was on a limited basis. Gates spoke with the paper last week and said that he is not quite back to full strength yet.
Gates has been banged up for most of the season and he said last week that he can feel "the sharp pains in cuts. I can't explode." Gates was able to play in Week 9 and had six catches for 69 yards and he is on track to play this weekend despite dealing with the injury after being able to practice. Gates missed time with a suspension and injuries this season and he has just 28 catches for 312 yards and two touchdowns in four games.
The Chargers offense has been hit hard by injuries this season and Rivers is hoping that both Gates and Ladarius Green can get things going this week. Gates looks more likely to play than Green, as Green was not able to practice on Wednesday or Thursday while dealing with the ankle injury, according to Michael Gehlken at the Union-Tribune. If Green ends up playing on Sunday, he likely would be a bit limited. Green has 27 catches in seven games this season with four touchdowns.
Malcom Floyd has been dealing with a shoulder injury and he has not been able to practice this week for the Chargers. According to Yahoo Sports, Floyd said that he plans on returning this season at some point for the Chargers, but right now a return date is not set. Coach Mike McCoy said that the team is "optimistic" that Floyd can return, but he likely will be out this week. Stevie Johnson and Dontrelle Inman should get increased targets with Floyd and Keenan Allen out. Johnson is the new number one option and he comes in after putting up seven catches for 68 yards against the Bears.
Danny Woodhead is a better fantasy start option over Melvin Gordon this week, but both players could put up points against the Chiefs. Woodhead is a strong PPR league option and he comes in after putting up 111 total yards and a touchdown in Week 9. Gordon has been getting more touches after slumping earlier in the season, as he has had double digit carries in the past two games, including 18 carries against the Ravens in Week 8.
