Critical fumble despite win

Green caught his lone target for eight yards in Sunday's 23-17 wild-card win over the Ravens. He also coughed up a critical fumble.

Analysis: That fumble, which came on a play in the third quarter where Green attempted to fight for a first down, directly led to the Ravens scoring their first points of the game. The play capped off what had been an ugly opening three quarters for Green, who missed at least two critical blocks in the first half which led to negative plays. The veteran tight end at least made up for it in the fourth quarter, aiding a Melvin Gordon run near the goal line which was subsequently converted into the…read more

Snares two receptions

Green caught both of his targets for 12 yards in the loss Saturday to the Ravens.

Analysis: Believe it or not, the 12 receiving yards is actually Green's best figure since Week 11, as the veteran tight end has been used almost entirely as a blocking option in his first season with the Chargers. Notably, Green needs just 17 more receiving yards to set a career high, but that doesn't mean much for fantasy owners who expected more production from him in 2018.

Catches two passes

Green caught two of his three targets for nine yards in Thursday's win over the Chiefs.

Analysis: Green saw 38-year-old tight end Antonio Gates catch four passes for 54 yards, reaffirming what has been a troubling trend all season, namely, the former's inability to make any headway in the passing game. Green will aim to eclipse his career high in receiving yards (237) during the final two weeks of the regular season.

Catchless in blowout win

Green failed to reel in his only target during Sunday's 45-10 win over Arizona.

Analysis: Green came into Sunday on a relative streak given his block-first reputation, catching two passes in three consecutive games. Sunday marked Green's third catchless outing of the season. Despite being known for his athleticism as a receiver in college, Green was always more effective in the run-blocking and pass-protection sectors in Denver, and that hasn't changed much in L.A. Sunday brings a visit to Pittsburgh's top-10 pass defense.

Catches two passes in loss

Green caught two of his four targets for 27 yards Sunday during the 23-22 loss to the Broncos.

Analysis: Antonio Gates was surprisingly dominant Sunday, tallying five receptions, 80 yards and a touchdown across just 27 offensive snaps. That should just reinforce the notion that Green is merely second fiddle in terms of a receiving threat from the tight end position, as the veteran appeared in 68 percent of the team's snaps, but saw the fourth-fewest targets of any Chargers pass catcher.

Catches two passes

Green caught two of his three targets for 30 yards in the 20-6 win over the Raiders on Sunday.

Analysis: Green has been utilized a bit more frequently as of late, recording a catch of 10 or more yards in back-to-back weeks. Of course, 58 receiving yards during that stretch isn't anything to write home about, but it's encouraging to see the veteran receive at least some semblance of targets after recording just two targets from Weeks 5-8. A return to Denver, where he played the first seven years of his career, likely doesn't make Green an attractive fantasy option next week.

Snares two passes

Green caught two of his three targets for 28 yards in the 25-17 win over the Seahawks.

Analysis: Sunday was actually one of Green's better games, as the veteran tight end had been held without a catch in each of the previous two games. Green and Antonio Gates have rarely been factors despite the Chargers' high-scoring offense and remain low-end fantasy options even in deep leagues.

Fails to get a catch

Green failed to catch his only target in the 20-19 win over the Titans in London.

Analysis: Green was hampered by an injury to his ribs earlier last week, but the veteran tight end appeared to leave Sunday's contest without further damage. That's about the only good news for fantasy owners who utilized Green, as the 30-year-old failed to record a catch for the second straight game. Even if he's fully healthy, Green is rarely utilized on offense and has seen more than one target in just three games this season.

Clear of injury designation

Green (ribs) won't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Titans in London.

Analysis: Green began the week as a limited practice participant but apparently showed enough during Friday's session to steer clear of a questionable tag. The 30-year-old should continue to see a heavy share of offensive snaps for the Chargers, although he mainly functions as a blocker while Antonio Gates remains the team's top-pass catching tight end.

Remains limited Thursday

Green (ribs) was a limited participant during Thursday's practice.

Analysis: Though Green's practice reps were restricted for the second straight day, the Chargers haven't indicated that Green's status is in peril for Sunday's tilt with the Titans in London. That said, a full practice Friday would likely alleviate any concern the Chargers may have about Green's health. The 30-year-old has handled the highest offensive snap share among the Chargers' tight ends this season, but he mainly acts a blocker while Antonio Gates functions as the top pass-catching option at the…read more

Practices in limited fashion

Green (ribs) logged a limited practice Wednesday.

Analysis: Green initially injured his ribs against Oakland in Week 5, but he was able to finish out the game. The Nevada product went on to play last week in the Chargers' win over the Browns, drawing 48 percent of the offensive snaps. While it's possible his practice time will be limited throughout the week while he tends to the injury, Green appears in little danger of missing Sunday's game against the Titans.

Catches first touchdown as member of Chargers

Green caught his only target for a 13-yard touchdown in Sunday's 26-10 win over the Raiders.

Analysis: Green did leave the game in the second quarter due to a rib injury, but the veteran tight end was able to make his return to the field, capitalizing on a screen pass near the goal-line to score his first touchdown as a Charger. As usual, Green (72 percent) outsnapped Antonio Gates (36 percent), but that didn't amount to much for either player, as the tight ends combined to receive just three targets.

Questionable to return

Green is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Raiders due to a ribs injury.

Analysis: Green exited Sunday's game during the second quarter. If the second-string tight end is unable to return to the field, expect an update on his health after the conclusion of the Week 5 contest.

Catches two passes in win

Green caught both of his targets for nine yards in Sunday's 29-27 win over the 49ers.

Analysis: Once again it was Antonio Gates who saw the majority of the receiving role at the expense of Green as the veteran tight end snagged a first-quarter red-zone touchdown. Green continues to see the field (74 percent offensive snaps Sunday), but that hasn't translated to any sort of statistical success thanks to the plethora of weapons available in Los Angeles.

Hardly utilized Sunday

Green caught his only target for six yards in Sunday's 35-23 loss to the Rams.

Analysis: It's clear at this point that Green's role on offense is blocker first, safety-net second. Despite playing in 63 percent of the team's offensive snaps, Green could only muster a single target as the Chargers struggled to grapple with the Rams' litany of defensive stalwarts. While Antonio Gates saw fewer snaps (22) than Green, he parlayed his limited time on the field into three catches for 45 yards, further cementing the latter's status as the primary blocker.

Nearly sets career high in receiving yards

Green caught all three of his targets for 55 yards in the 31-20 victory over the Bills on Sunday.

Analysis: Green has caught 55 or more yards just two other times in his career, so it's safe to say the blocking tight end has been able to flex his receiving muscles a little more in Los Angeles. While the eighth-year veteran has a modest 76 receiving yards through two games this year, he's already approaching his career high in receiving yards (237), which he set in 2016. More importantly, Green drastically out-snapped Antonio Gates, 42 to 11, suggesting the Broncos transplant seems to be fitting in…read more

Muted performance in loss

Green caught both of his targets for 21 yards in Sunday's 38-28 loss to the Chiefs.

Analysis: Green was expected to receive the majority of the snaps Week 1 as Antonio Gates continued to work himself into game shape, and while that was technically true the margin was likely less than most would have predicted entering Sunday's contest. Green's 44 snaps were right in line with preseason expectations, but Gates also took part in 33 of the team's 88 snaps, suggesting the Chargers felt more than comfortable with the veteran's conditioning despite him missing the entire preseason. Given the…read more

Expected top tight end in Week 1

Green is expected to serve as the Chargers' starting tight end Sunday against the Chiefs, despite the team's recent re-signing of Antonio Gates, Jack Wang of The Orange County Register reports.

Analysis: Head coach Anthony Lynn was reserved earlier in the week when discussing Gates' place in the Los Angeles offense, hinting that the veteran might not even play in the season opener after not having participated in training camp or the preseason. Lynn noted that Gates would see limited snaps, at best, in Week 1, positioning Green to draw the majority of the action at tight end. Because of his aptitude as a blocker, Green could remain a fixture on offense even once Gates gets more practice time…read more

Quiet in preseason opener

Green started at tight end during Saturday's preseason opener against the Cardinals but he was unable to secure the only pass thrown his way.

Analysis: Green was unable to secure a hard pass from backup quarterback Cardale Jones on a simple out route. Depth tight ends Braeden Bowman and Sean Culkin also got a few chances, but Culkin was the only one to catch a pass and he brought down two of them for 24 yards. Green doesn't seem to be in any danger of losing his No. 1 spot on the depth chart, though, and it's difficult to take too much away from a game in which starting quarterback Philip Rivers didn't play.

Getting acclimated with Rivers

Green appears to be getting comfortable while taking reps with the first-team offense during training camp, Ricky Henne of the Chargers' official site reports. "We're working through how I like things, what I'm expecting on certain routes," quarterback Philip Rivers said, regarding how he's coalescing with Green. "He was in it similarly with [Mike] McCoy [in Denver]. Virgil is going to be just fine."

Analysis: Early reports following the season-ending injury to Hunter Henry (knee) hinted that Antonio Gates would immediately sign with the organization, but at least for now, the 38-year-old remains without a formal contract offer. As a result, it seems more realistic by the day that Green will take over as the team's starting tight end, especially if he's able to forge a rapport with Rivers. While second-year wideout Mike Williams figures to take on a more prominent role in the passing game --…read more

With Hunter Henry (knee) out for the season, Green has an opportunity to earn a significant role in the passing game, Jack Wang of The Orange County Register reports.

Analysis: The Chargers signed Green as a replacement for Antonio Gates, prioritizing blocking over receiving ability for the No. 2 tight end role. The former Bronco is now the favorite for the starting job, though many of the targets that would've gone to Henry figure to be redirected to wide receivers and running backs. Green only had 71 receptions and four touchdowns in 100 games for Denver, but he does own solid career marks for pass-catching efficiency with a 68.9 percent catch rate, 11.4 yards per…read more

Green signed a three-year contract with the Chargers on Wednesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: Despite being listed as the nominal starting tight end for the Broncos over the past two seasons, Green amassed just 36 catches and 428 receiving yards over that span, acting essentially as a blocking H-back rather than any sort of receiving threat. Still, Green figures to be an immediate upgrade over Jeff Cumberland, who the Chargers used in a similar role last season to little success. With the future of 37-year-old Antonio Gates still unclear, there's an opportunity for the long-time Broncos…read more

Green caught 14 of 22 passes for 191 yards and a touchdown in 2017.

Analysis: Green managed to take a step back from 2016's modest totals this past season and one has to wonder if Green's time is up in Denver. His contract is up and he's mustered just 36 catches and two touchdowns in the past two seasons as Denver's starter. Later in the season, practice-squad callup Austin Traylor was seeing more offensive snaps than Green and the team has spoken highly of 2017 fifth-round pick Jake Butt. Green's utility comes as a blocking H-back. Those kinds of guys don't typically…read more

Green (neck) is not listed on the injury report ahead of Sunday's game against the Redskins.

Analysis: Green suffered a neck injury in Week 15, but it was apparently not serious enough to warrant missing action. The veteran is listed as Denver's No. 1 tight end but has only 13 receptions for 185 yards and one touchdown so far this season.

Green suffered a neck injury in Thursday's contest against the Colts and is questionable to return, Patrick Smyth of the Broncos' executive staff reports.

Analysis: Green was targeted once but did not record a catch before exiting the game. Given the nature of neck injuries and the Broncos' elimination from playoff contention, it would make sense for the team to take a cautious approach in bringing Green back to action. For as long as he is out, expect Jeff Heuerman to see an expanded role at tight end.

Green hauled in a 36-yard pass on his lone target during Sunday's 36-9 loss in Miami.

Analysis: Green's catch and run was Denver's longest offensive play of the game and represented more yardage than the veteran tight end has accumulated in any whole game since Week 1. The good news pretty much ends there for Green, who was bested by former practice-squad member Austin Traylor in offensive snaps for the third straight week. With Denver out of contention and Green unlikely to return next season, look for Denver to see what it might have it Traylor and former third-round pick Jeff Heuerman…read more

Green caught two of four targets for 13 yards during Sunday's 20-17 loss to Cincinnati.

Analysis: It was Green's first multi-catch game since Week 3, but the good news ends there. With only Green and Austin Traylor, playing his first career game, suited up on Sunday, Traylor saw more snaps than Green -- 53 to 41. Green has been entrenched as Denver's starter over the past two seasons, but the release of A.J. Derby and firing of offensive coordinator Mike McCoy shows that Denver is looking to shake things up to end the season. Look for Denver to see what it has in the likes of Traylor and…read more