Melvin Gordon’s extra effort seems to have cost him dearly.
The San Diego Chargers running back was carted off the field Sunday after he suffered an apparent hip injury in the first quarter of his team’s NFL Week 14 game against the Carolina Panthers.
UPDATE (Sunday, Dec. 11 at 5:37 p.m. ET): The Chargers appear to have dodged a bullet.
Relief in locker room surrounding Chargers RB Melvin Gordon (hip). "He's OK," source said. Just 3 games left. Monday MRI to decide status.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) December 11, 2016
ORIGINAL STORY: He won’t play any further part in the game, according to ESPN.
UPDATE: Melvin Gordon will not return to the game vs Panthers.
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 11, 2016
Gordon was trying to recover Philip Rivers’ fumble when he suffered the injury, according to NFL Media’s Gregg Rosenthal.
His loss is a blow to the Chargers and a disaster for fantasy owners, who have come to depend on the second-year back for their success. Gordon rushed for 10 touchdowns and caught two more in his first 13 games this season.
Entering this week, Melvin Gordon ranked 3rd among running backs in fantasy points per game. pic.twitter.com/Byj3wPLblq
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 11, 2016
Whether he returns to make a further impact in 2016 remains to be seen, but the initial signs are ominous-looking.
Thumbnail photo via Jeremy Brevard/USA TODAY Sports Images
