Melvin Gordon has missed the last two games after suffering an MCL injury in Week 12, and there was talk over the weekend that he is healing quickly enough to be ready for Thursday night’s massive showdown with the Kansas City Chiefs. Judging by what Los Angeles Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn said Tuesday, that does not sound likely.
Lynn told Steve Wyche of NFL Network that he is not optimistic about Gordon or backup running back Austin Ekeler — who suffered a concussion on Sunday — being cleared for Thursday’s game.
The Chargers are not optimistic that running backs Melvin Gordon (knee) and Austin Ekeler (neck, concussion) will be ready for Thursday's huge AFC West matchup at Kansas City, HC Anthony Lynn told me. Rookie RBs Justin Jackson and Detrez Newsome likely to be the spot
— Steve Wyche (@wyche89) December 11, 2018
If neither Gordon nor Ekeler are able to play, rookie seventh-round pick Justin Jackson would have to handle a big workload in a game that could eventually determine who wins the AFC West and earns a first round playoff bye.
Gordon’s MCL injury was reported to be a Grade 2 sprain, which usually keeps a player out for three games. The way the Chargers’ schedule lined up certainly didn’t help, as playing on Thursday gives Gordon even less time to fully heal.
