Will Melvin Gordon be back this week?

Great question, and one we would all like to know the answer to – no one more than me. I had faith in Gordon this summer, even as a Rams fan. I decided that his sometimes-dodgy knees were not enough of a deterrent, and that his talent would trump all this season.

I took Melvin Gordon in the second round in both of my main fantasy leagues, and I’ve been rewarded for it. As have many of you.

But he’s been injured, and at a really key point of the season.

With the week 15 fantasy football playoff semi-finals looming, we’re all asking the same thing. Will Melvin Gordon play in week 15?

NFL Running Back Statistics

There have been some spectacular running backs who have lit up the fantasy scoring charts in 2018. No Le’Veon Bell? No problem. In standard-scoring leagues (the order is exactly the same in half PPR), these are the top-5 scoring NFL running backs in fantasy football through 14 weeks:

1. Todd Gurley
2. Saquon Barkley
3. Christian McCaffrey
4. Alvin Kamara
5. Ezekiel Elliott

Probably no surprises there. Those are five supremely talented running backs right there. So where does Melvin Gordon fit in? He’s not far off those guys, nestled in a #7. And honestly, Melvin Gordon has actually been the SECOND BEST running back in all of fantasy football.

Todd Gurley has an average of 22.2 fantasy points per game (APPG) and 19 touchdowns, at the head of the class.

Then you have Barkley with 19.63 APPG and 13 TDs, CMC with 18.36 APPG and 13 TDs, Kamara with 18.03 APPG and 15 TDs, and Zeke with 17.56 APPG and 9 TDs.

Gordon has all of those guys beat. He’s missed three games with injury, so his per game average is actually 20.75, and his 13 touchdowns gives him a better rate than everyone bar Gurley.

So, long story short, Melvin Gordon has been really damn good. Unfortunately, he went down with injury at the business end of the season, when many people were probably relying on him to get them into the playoffs. As such, many Melvin Gordon owners might now already be done for the season.

Hopefully you have been an active owner and had the depth to compensate for Gordon’s absence. But even if you are still in it, you could probably reeeeeeeaally use Melvin Gordon in the next round of the fantasy football playoffs.

After all, most players will be in single elimination mode now. There’s no room for error. So here’s what we know.

Melvin Gordon is Listed as Limited

As of Tuesday, the Los Angeles Chargers have officially listed Melvin Gordon as limited. So what does that mean, and is it a good thing or a bad thing?

Well, basically he’s at practice, but is not healthy enough to train at full speed. That said, the Chargers are on a short week, so a non-full speed practice is what everyone is doing. Of course, it’s obviously not a great sign that he’s listed as limited. For most players, if they don’t practice, they don’t play.

Right now, a limited appearance at practice doesn’t actually tell us anything concrete.

We have also had contrasting views from inside the Chargers camp. Coach Anthony Lynn has been reported as saying that Melvin Gordon is doubtful, while Gordon himself expects to be a game time decision. It should be noted that players always over-estimate their own fitness, however.

The Problem: The Chargers Play on Thursday

As mentioned, one of the problems faced here is that the Chargers play on Thursday night this week. Obviously, that’s bad, because it drastically reduces Gordon’s recovery and preparation time, compared to a Sunday outing.

Another key consideration is that is a blockbuster match-up against the Kansas City Chiefs, with the Chargers needing to win to support their playoff hopes. When it comes to fantasy football, you can spin a narrative a thousand different ways to support your opinion. But to me, this tough match-up at a key period in the season means that if Gordon is half fit, he’ll play. Because, frankly, they need him.

Melvin Gordon and the LA Chargers back-up RBs

Here’s another consideration – the state of the Chargers backfield. Melvin Gordon is the clear-cut number one running back when he’s available.

Sharing snaps with Gordon is Austin Ekeler, who has been excellent in a limited role. Ekeler is a great change-of-pace back, who is a good pass-catcher. He put up a good performance in Gordon’s absence in week 14, but also suffered an injury at the end of the game. Ekeler is officially OUT for week 15.

That leaves Justin Jackson – a talented rookie with very little experience. By now, every Melvin Gordon fantasy owner should also own Jackson, if he is available. Because if Gordon cannot play, Jackson will be in line for a significant workload on Thursday. He was disappointing and barely used in week 14, but showed flashes of brilliance and ran in for a score the week before.

It’s interesting that no other RB has been activated from the practice squad at the time of writing. I feel that this lack of movement bodes well for Gordon’s chances of playing.

Do We Even Want to Play Melvin Gordon If He’s In?

This is a reasonable question. What if the Chargers rush Gordon back and he breaks down again within five minutes?! That could happen, and the fantasy football pessimist in all of us will almost expect it.

But the bottom line is that if Melvin Gordon plays, he has to be in your line-up. You don’t want to be the owner who has Gordon on his bench while he goes off for two touchdowns.

Start your studs.

So Is Melvin Gordon In?!

Bottom line: we don’t know. Even the Chargers probably don’t know right now. My guess is that they’re planning for both eventualities, but hoping for him to be ready. For fantasy owners, it’s actually not that bad a situation.

Of course you want Melvin Gordon to play. Most of you will probably be relying on him to make it to the championship game. For now, plug him into your line-up, in one of the running back slots – NOT a flex spot. Keep an eye on the news, and whip him out if he’s announced out.

The good news is that IF he’s out, you have plenty of time to plan for a replacement before Sunday. Maybe you’ve got Justin Jackson as a ready-made replacement, and a great play if both Gordon and Ekeler are out. If not, you’ve got time to search the waiver wire or make a switch from your bench.

We’ll be waiting on Melvin Gordon with baited breath on Thursday night.