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Melvin Gordon to end holdout from Los Angeles Chargers

By Jordan Foote

CARSON, CA - DECEMBER 22: Melvin Gordon #28 of the Los Angeles Chargers runs on a pass play during the second half of a game against the Baltimore Ravens at StubHub Center on December 22, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA - DECEMBER 22: Melvin Gordon #28 of the Los Angeles Chargers runs on a pass play during the second half of a game against the Baltimore Ravens at StubHub Center on December 22, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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Melvin Gordon, one of the best young backs in the league, plans on ending his holdout and reporting to the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday.

Normally when teams gain players back during the early stages of the season, it’s after either injury or suspension. For the Los Angeles Chargers, it comes in the form of a holdout ending.

Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, running back Melvin Gordon contacted the team and let them know he’d be ending his holdout and reporting to the team on Thursday. Gordon had been holding out since training camp in hopes of receiving a new contract. Despite missing practices, games and even being granted permission to pursue a trade, no resolution to the situation was found.

Playing on the fifth-year option Los Angeles previously exercised on his contract, Gordon is due to see his salary take quite the spike. Rushing for 3,628 yards and 87 touchdowns in his first four seasons with the team, not many running backs have produced at the same level Gordon has since he entered the league. Adding another 1,577 yards and 10 scores through the air, he’s as versatile as they come.

The Chargers, currently 1-2 on the season, will gladly welcome their star back with open arms. Boasting the league’s 13th-ranked rushing attack as things currently stand, Gordon will be an upgrade over his backups, Austin Ekeler and Justin Johnson. Philip Rivers has developed a camaraderie with Gordon that the other two running backs simply cannot hold a candle to.

NFL.com’s Ian Rapaport reports Gordon will not play in Sunday’s contest with the lowly Miami Dolphins but will still be around the team. Slated to make his season debut on Oct. 6 against the Denver Broncos, the 26-year-old provides offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt with another weapon to use against a bitter division rival.

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In any event, Melvin Gordon’s return makes the Los Angeles Chargers a dangerous team moving forward. Although they’ve recorded just one win thus far, this is generally the same bunch that won 12 games a season ago. As one of the best players on the team reenters the fold, the rest of the NFL better be on notice.

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