Tight end Antonio Gates worked full for a third straight day. That doesn’t mean he will never miss another practice, but it is highly encouraging as he works through his lingering plantar fasciitis.
“We can back off him a little bit and not go crazy with this thing,” Turner said. “He’s had three really impressive days, so he’s made great progress.”
There appears little doubt that Gates will be 100 percent (or close to it) for the season opener. The issue is managing his recovery week to week.
“This was part of the plan,” Gates said of practicing consecutive days. “Rest is also part of the plan. Being healthy for the entire season is also part of the plan.”
Gates represents great value in the 4th round, especially in PPR formats. If he plays a full season, he's a good bet to finish as 2011's #1 fantasy TE.
