Melvin Gordon Uncertain To Play In Week 17

The Chargers kept their playoffs hopes alive after defeating the Jets in Week 16. However, the team may have lost one of their biggest offensive weapons in the process. Running back Melvin Gordon is reportedly in a walking boot after suffering an ankle injury late in last week’s game, and now may be a “game-time decision”, according to Eric Williams of ESPN.com.

“He’s seeing the doctors on Tuesday, and we’ll know more about Melvin as we get going here,” head coach Anthony Lynn said. “Ankles can be kind of tricky. We can keep him out all week, and he’s had enough reps where he can go out and play. He knows what he’s doing, and that’s something that we’ll look at. But he’s another guy that’s probably going to come down to the end of the week.”

In his third-year in the NFL, Gordon has continued to establish himself as a better than average running back. While he may not be putting up elite numbers , the 24-year-old has remained consistent having just surpassed the 1,000 yard mark last Sunday. He’s averaging 3.8 yards per carry and has found the end zone on eight different occasions in 2017.

However, the former first round pick has now sustained injuries in each of his first three years in the league, which does not bode well for his long-term value when comparing him to other top backs. Losing Gordon would represent a major blow for a Chargers team that needs to win next week in order to even have a chance of sneaking into the playoffs. Los Angeles only had Austin Ekeler playing on special teams vs. the Jets and shouldn’t be thought of as a major factor out of the backfield as he continues to deal with a broken hand he suffered two weeks ago. Fellow backs Andre Williams and Kenneth Farrow are currently on the injured reserve as well. With that being the case, Branden Oliver would be the lone remaining running back on the roster if Gordon were to be unavailable. The Chargers would likely sign another free agent to help supplement the running game if Gordon’s injury keeps him from playing in Week 17.