Chargers coach Anthony Lynn revealed his plan for the running back position in Week 5 against the Broncos, admitting Melvin Gordon isn’t ready for a full workload.
Instead, Lynn said he will continue to give a majority of the touches to Austin Ekeler because Gordon isn’t ready to be the team’s No. 1 running back after returning from a 64-day holdout.
“We have a plan for Melvin,” Lynn said Friday. “I don’t want to put him in there and play him too much. And I really don’t have to. I like what Austin Ekeler has been doing in the backfield. … Whenever [Gordon is] ready to go, he will be the No. 1 guy and get the bulk of the snaps. But obviously he’s not there right now.”
While Gordon said he’s ready to do whatever the team needs, he added that he’s “eager to find out” what exactly his role will be.
“I think it will be a lot of me and Austin flipping — me going in, and then him going in — flip-flopping,” he said. “We’ll be splitting the ball a lot.
“I know people think I’m going to get 20 carries, but I didn’t really get 20 carries a game last year when I was in. I just kind of made the best of the small amount of carries that I got. We’ve got so many players, the ball goes around to everybody, so you’re kind of licking your chops when you get your turn.”
In Gordon’s absence, Ekeler has rushed for 220 yards and 3.9 yards per carry with three touchdowns while adding 24 catches for 270 yards. Even with Ekeler’s production combined with Justin Jackson, Lynn said last week that Gordon will become the starter again as soon as he’s ready.
“I like the way Austin (Ekeler) and Justin (Jackson) been working,” Lynn said. “They did a heck of a job and both proved they could play in this league. They will still have a major role in the offense, don’t get me wrong. But as soon as Melvin’s ready, he’ll go back to being No. 1.”
The Chargers (2-2) will host the Broncos (0-4) on Sunday with kickoff set for 4:05 p.m. ET.
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