The San Diego Chargers will likely be without a key cog in their offense when they attempt to upset the Oakland Raiders on Sunday. Running back Melvin Gordon suffered a hip injury last week against the Carolina Panthers and had to be carted off the field (more on that here).
While the Chargers seemed confidence following the game that Gordon was okay, it now looks like the star second-year running back will miss this upcoming week’s game against Oakland.
Chargers RB Melvin Gordon (hip) is not expected to play Sunday vs. Raiders, per source. Remains a chance Gordon will play again this season.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 14, 2016
From a Chargers perspective, this doesn’t necessarily mean a whole lot. San Diego is 5-8 on the season and completely out of the AFC Playoff picture.
Though, Gordon’s absence could help a Raiders team that’s looking to clinch a playoff spot and remain in the running in the AFC West. Oakland has yielded the seventh-most rushing yards in the NFL this season. Meanwhile, Gordon himself ranks seventh in the league in rushing with 997 yards.