Melvin Gordon sits out Pro Bowl win
All three Chargers players who attended Sunday’s Pro Bowl walked away healthy.
One elected not to chance it.
Quarterback Philip Rivers, cornerback Casey Hayward and running back Melvin Gordon represented San Diego for the final time in uniform during the AFC’s 20-13 win over the NFC. Gordon decided to bypass appearing in the all-star game, given a knee injury that ended his season, a source said.
His decision was precautionary. The second-year pro had a full week leading up, practicing and fraternizing with teammates to gain the experience of being among the NFL’s best. He also earned a full paycheck: Players on the AFC roster collected $61,000 for the win; NFC players took home $30,000.
Hayward had a strong outing, totaling three tackles with two pass breakups.
Rivers completed seven of 11 passes for 59 yards. He was sacked four times.
Gordon missed the final three games to a sprained posterior cruciate ligament. He finished with 254 carries for 997 yards and 10 touchdowns, adding 41 catches for 419 yards and two scores. By choosing a proactive approach Sunday, he ensured to be healthy when working to build off a breakout campaign.
Gordon, 23, has high aspirations for this offseason.
“Just continue to be an every-down back,” Gordon said this month. “I think I showed that this year. I tried to the best I could, just so (the coaches) can believe in me more. I’m just going to work my craft, link back up with (Adrian Peterson) and come back ready. …
“I’m a complete back. Coming out of college, I didn’t get the reps at receiver. But I can catch the ball, and I can block. … My goal is I don’t like to be taken off the field at all. I hope that I’ve proven myself enough to where they can run with me.”
Or at least, feel comfortable to.
Gordon handled a workhorse-type role in 2016 following a Week 2 season-ending knee injury to Danny Woodhead. This offseason, the Chargers hope to re-sign Woodhead, who is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in March.
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