Melvin Gordon, Austin Ekeler injuries will test Chargers run game vs. Chiefs

Injuries to both Austin Ekeler and Melvin Gordon will test the Los Angeles Chargers running game on a short week against the Chiefs.

The Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers have to turn the page very quickly this week from their respective wins over the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals. The reason is that both teams face each other in an important AFC West showdown on Thursday night, just four days after they last played so that the NFL can rule a weeknight of television ratings as well.

On Thursday Night Football, the Chargers will be visiting the Chiefs to begin Week 15 of the regular season, and that means injured players are going to have limited time to heal from the previous week. For the Chargers, it means that their rushing attack is going to be serious limited and tested with word that running back Austin Ekeler is hurting alongside Melvin Gordon, who has sat out the last two games with an MCL sprain.

Gordon originally went down two weeks ago and was given a timeline that he could return within three weeks. His name will be one to watch, not only because he’s the starter who was enjoying a Pro Bowl level season before he went down, but because he also has yet to practice for the Chargers since the sprain. The timeline has always been the Chiefs game as a target, but Gordon might need more time to rest than that.

As for Ekeler, Gordon’s primary backup, Adam Schefter says he will get further tests this week which means the team will likely know more even by late Monday. If both backs are unable to go against the Chiefs, the Chargers will turn to Justin Jackson, a seventh-round choice in this year’s draft, who has 127 yards rushing on 20 carries this year.

Ekeler and Gordon have combined for 1,232 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on the season, and both are averaging 5.2 yards/carry in 2018.