When it comes to injuries, it's been a pretty tough year for tight ends and San Diego Chargers receivers. So the writing was on the wall for Antonio Gates . And it looks like his time to become another injury statistic will come this weekend. Gates, the league's best TE and maybe the fantasy MVP so far, is listed as doubtful to play on the Chargers' official injury report. He didn't practice all week, including Friday. He has been hampered by a toe injury and a sprained ankle on his left foot for a while. But he tore the plantar fascia in his right foot last week. That's what has slowed him the most recently, causing him to get around practice with a scooter because he could not walk on his own. UPDATE: Gates wasn't ready to rule himself out to the San Diego Union-Tribune on Friday. He traveled with the team to Houston and said he'll try to play Sunday. "We just have to wait to see how I feel," Gates said. ... "I know it's going to be tougher (to play) than it was last week."

Fantasy Analysis:

Gates is very tough, but the right decision is for him to miss this game at Houston. With a popped plantar fascia, he will be in tremendous pain every time he goes to push off that right foot. This means Philip Rivers' top available targets against the Texans will be Patrick Crayton , Seyi Ajirotutu and Gary Banks. Rivers has put up great numbers all season though different combination of receivers, but he's never done it this year without Gates. He remains a must-start against a horrible pass defense, but there is some cause for concern. Gates will likely be replaced in the lineup by Randy McMichael . The Chargers have a bye in week 10 so Antonio will have two weeks to get as healthy as he can. Yet, he won't be close to 100 percent for the rest of the season.