Melvin Gordon’s holdout expected to linger into the regular season

Amid ongoing contract negotiations, Los Angeles Chargers star running back Melvin Gordon very well could hold out into the regular season.

It’s been a rough last few days for the Los Angeles Chargers, to say the least.

Less than a week ago, it was the unfortunate news that All-Pro safety Derwin James will miss “a significant amount of time” after a screw from a previous operation was bent in his foot. Now, it’s Ian Rapoport’s report that running back Melvin Gordon is expected to drag his holdout into the regular season.

Per Rapoport, negotiations between the Chargers and Gordon’s camp have not progressed as well as the two-time Pro Bowler would’ve liked to this point. Until a breakthrough is made, Gordon will continue training in preparation for a new deal away from the team.

Gordon was originally slated to play out this season under Los Angeles’ $5.6 million contract option on his rookie deal. The 26-year-old is seeking elite money and per Spotrac, he’s worth top-five value for all NFL running backs. He joins Cowboys back, Ezekiel Elliott, who is also holding out for a new deal as the NFL continues to avoid paying big money to tailbacks.

Despite missing four games last season, Gordon ran for 885 yards and tied his career-high with 10 touchdowns. Providing steady production for the league’s 15th-ranked rushing attack in 2018, the former Wisconsin Badger added another 490 yards and four touchdowns as a receiver.

With Gordon holding out, Justin Jackson and Austin Ekeler will continue to operate as the Chargers top backs.

Gordon has played a full 16 games just once in four years, which could be one of the things holding Los Angeles back from offering him the amount of money he desires. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports Gordon is simply “waiting on the call,” but that phone conversation doesn’t appear to be taking place anytime soon.