There was hope Sunday that Melvin Gordon could play again this season.

After a Monday exam, that hope remains.

The Chargers running back suffered a hip strain and knee sprain Sunday in the first quarter of a 28-16 loss to the Panthers, coach Mike McCoy said in a press conference. He called Gordon “day to day,” leaving the chance alive the second-year pro could return at some point during the final three games. Indeed, Gordon said that is his target.

He underwent an MRI in San Diego.


He remains three rushing yards away from 1,000 in 2016.

“He’ll be day to day, and we’ll take it from there,” McCoy said. “I talked to him this morning. He’s going to work hard to get back out there as soon as he can. … As an organization, we’re going to do what’s best for the player. We’ve been talking about this forever. We always will: The health of the players is No. 1.

“It’s not just this year. It’s the future. It’s everything for the player. We’re not going to throw him out here to get a couple more yards to say, ‘I got 1,000 yards.’ And he doesn’t want that either. I’m going to make sure that he’s ready to go and be Melvin when he gets back out on the field. That’s the most important thing. With every player, that’s the way I look at it.”

Gordon injured his left hip and left knee when attempting to recover a fumble following a Philip Rivers strip-sack. His leg trapped awkwardly beneath him as a pile stacked around the football, which Carolina recovered. Gordon, 23, was carted off the field.


On Monday, Gordon was able to walk without crutches.

He said he wanted “bad” to finish the season on the field. His 2015 campaign ended with a left knee injury that required microfracture surgery. He doesn’t want injuries to end another.

“It’s very important because I know the guys need me out there,” Gordon said. “We started it together. I want to finish it. We lost so many guys, and losing me doesn’t help the energy around here. I’m going to try to do what I can to be back. … I know my body. If I can go out there and feel like I can be productive, then I’ll be out there. If I can’t, then we’ve got the guys who can make it up for me.”

Kenneth Farrow finished Sunday’s game in his place.


The undrafted rookie is an efficient downhill, one-cut runner. But growing pains are to be expected. He struggled in pass protection, allowing a strip-sack that Carolina recovered in the second quarter. He finished with 16 carries for 55 yards and six catches for 23.

There is a chance, if Gordon is sidelined, the Chargers could platoon Farrow with Ronnie Hillman this Sunday versus Oakland. Hillman has yet to be active since being claimed off waivers on Nov. 22. Andre Williams also is an option on the practice squad, although he’s not known for his complementary abilities in the passing game.

Farrow played 55 offensive snaps Sunday.

That was two shy of his season total entering the afternoon.


McCoy also expressed optimism on the status of defensive end Joey Bosa. He exited in the second quarter with a neck injury and possible concussion. Bosa, 21, passed tests for the latter and was cleared as having only a neck strain. He did not return, but indications are he will play Sunday.

Left guard Orlando Franklin (hip) and cornerback Craig Mager (shoulder, stinger) also exited in Carolina and didn’t return. Mager was still dealing with soreness Monday morning, McCoy said. He added Franklin “should be OK.”

The Chargers are scheduled to return to practice Wednesday.


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michael.gehlken@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @SDUTgehlken