Chargers HC: 'There's a chance' Gordon could play Week 4
After ending his holdout Thursday, many expected Melvin Gordon to be inactive Sunday versus the Miami Dolphins and return for Week 5.
But with the Los Angeles Chargers facing numerous injuries on offense, head coach Anthony Lynn isn't ruling out his top running back for this week's matchup.
"I've said all along there's a chance," Lynn told reporters Friday, according to NFL.com's Grant Gordon. "He's looked fine. He's in good shape, but he hasn't been practicing football, so obviously he's not ready to go back in there and carry the load right now, but you never know, he may have to.
"We understand that Melvin has been back for a day and a half so we have to be careful with if he plays, how much he plays, and if he even plays," Lynn later added.
Gordon expressed his eagerness to return to the lineup and explained why he chose this point in the season to return to Los Angeles.
"We're 1-2, you know what I'm saying?" he said, according to ESPN's Eric Williams. "You don't want to get into a big hole. You work the whole offseason to be in a good position to make the playoffs. That's the whole goal.
"Nothing came out of (the holdout), so I try not to think about it," he continued. "Obviously there is no contract, so it's obviously something I don't want to speak on. All I can do is come out here and play ball, and kind of let my skill take place, and determine my future."
The 26-year-old also revealed the team reduced his fines in half when he returned from his holdout.
"It comes with (the) consequences (of) sitting out," Gordon said. "To think the fines would be completely washed away, I knew if I got in this situation, it wouldn't be. You do something against the rules, you pay the consequences."
With Justin Jackson ruled out for Week 4 with a calf injury, Austin Ekeler and Troymaine Pope would be the only active running backs on the Chargers' roster if Gordon indeed sits out against Miami.
Lynn previously stated there was "no doubt" Gordon would be his starting running back when he's ready to return.