Melvin Gordon Injured: Chargers RB To Miss Time With MCL Sprain

TheSportster

By Thomas Hall

Published Nov 28, 2018

The Los Angeles Chargers will be without running back Melvin Gordon as he suffered an MCL sprain.

Los Angeles Chargers running back, Melvin Gordon, is expected to miss a few weeks with an MCL sprain.

Gordon was forced to leave the game this past Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals. He sustained the injury when Cardinals defensive tackle, Robert Nkemdiche, tackled him on a play in the third quarter.

It was then later revealed after the game that Gordon had suffered a grade two MCL sprain in his knee. The recovery time for a grade two MCL sprain is usually between two to four weeks.

Which means Gordon could return in week 15's Thursday night match-up against the Kansas City Chiefs. If he suffers any setbacks, that could push his return date all the way back to the last game of the regular season.

The Chargers face-off against the Denver Broncos in week 17. That game will also be played on the road in Denver. That shouldn't be a problem for the Chargers because they have a record of 4-1 on the road this season.

The main concern for the Chargers is to have Gordon back and ready for the playoffs, but they have to make it there first. They currently sit one game back of the division-leading Chiefs.

That is why it will be so important for the Chargers to get Gordon back for week 15. Otherwise, the Chargers will have settle for one of the two Wild Card spots. They sit in the first Wild Card spot with a two-game lead over the second-seeded Baltimore Ravens.

Even with Gordon out, the Chargers do have a very reliable back-up. Austin Ekeler will likely get the majority of the carries until Gordon returns. Ekeler has been one of the best back-ups all season long.

He has produced 763 yards with four touchdowns while appearing in eleven games this season. He is also up for the challenge to fill Gordon's shoes. While speaking to reporters after the game against the Cardinals, he spoke about how he will have to step his game up while Gordon is out.

Those will be very big shoes for Ekeler to try and fill. Gordon has recorded 1255 total yards and 13 total touchdowns this season. Compared to Ekeler's yards, there is going to be a lot of offense missing with Gordon out.

But, the Chargers will likely only be without Gordon for a couple of games. So with their two-game lead in the Wild Card race, they should be able to stay afloat while Gordon recovers from injury.

WHAT THIS MEANS

The Chargers are in a great position to make the playoffs even with Gordon out for multiple weeks. They also will still have a very good running back in Ekeler. He has performed extremely well as a back-up to Gordon this season.

So, if Gordon can return in time for week 15's match-up against the Cheifs, then the Chargers will have a very good chance at moving into first place in the AFC West division.