The San Diego Chargers were certainly hoping for different results this season as they played their final game in the current stadium. The dismantling of the Miami Dolphins was certainly a high note for the Chargers, but the win came at a price as Melvin Gordon appears lost for the season. After drafting the running back in the first round, Gordon was coming into his own and will now spend the offseason nursing a knee injury.
According to ESPN's Eric D. Williams as confirmed by the Chargers, Gordon was placed on injured reserve following torn cartilage in his left knee. The running back took a hit to the knee in the second quarter against the Dolphins in Week 15. He was able to get up and walk off the field on his own, but an MRI revealed the injury and the end of his rookie season. The injury is the bow on what was a disappointing first year in the NFL for the running back. He failed to meet expectations after getting drafted in the first round with 641 yards on the year while averaging 3.5 yards per carry. Head coach Mike McCoy was left to defend his running back.
"Did he have any big, explosive touchdown runs? No," McCoy said, via ESPN.com. "That's something that he has the ability to do. But I think it really comes down to everybody doing their jobs better, and not just Melvin Gordon. It's not a one-man show, but everybody else has to do their job better, and he has to do his job better on certain things. He's got a bright future."
The final two games of the season could become the Danny Woodhead show for San Diego. The running back is coming off a game where he had six catches out of the backfield for 60 yards and four touchdowns. Woodhead has never been a traditional running back for the Chargers, but that is ok if he can score four touchdowns per game. He will likely see an increase in time on the field with Gordon out which is a good sign for the Chargers who could use his talents in the last two games. Donald Brown will take over as the tradition rusher. He had 90 yards off 12 carries against the Dolphins. Both are quality fantasy pickups in Week 16 as Philip Rivers will rely heavily on them.
The quarterback will keep a balanced offense despite Gordon being out, but expect him to keep throwing a lot. Dontrelle Inman has emerged as a strong weapon for Rivers to work with. The receiver returned from injury to get three catches for 78 yards. He paired well with the six catches and 88 yards Antonio Gates had. Meanwhile Malcom Floyd could only bring in one of his three targets on the day for 27 yards total.
