What is the latest update on Denver Broncos RB Melvin Gordon as he attempts to return from a hip injury in Week 14? Let’s take a look at Gordon’s status for this week, how he has performed this season, and who could step up for the Broncos if he is out.
Update 12/12/21: According to the Broncos, Melvin Gordon is active for their game against the Detroit Lions today.
Is Melvin Gordon playing today against the Lions?
After Gordon could not play in the Broncos’ Week 13 matchup against the Chiefs, he returned to practice in Week 14. Gordon was limited all week, but the positive news is that he was only listed with a hip injury after being listed with both hip and shoulder injuries last week.
The Broncos deemed Gordon questionable on the team’s Week 14 injury report. The expectation is that he will be able to play in Week 14. Gordon said he was close to suiting up against the Chiefs when asked on Thursday.
“I feel like I’ll be able to go,” Gordon said before Thursday’s practice. “We’re going to really go and test it out today, but I feel fine for the most part. Just a little sore after the Chargers game. I was close to playing [against the Chiefs], but we just decided it was probably best to just sit that game.”
Head coach Vic Fangio then reiterated that belief on Friday. Last week, it was widely reported that Gordon’s absence would be a one-week occurrence. That appears to be the case.
It has been a mixed year for Melvin Gordon in 2021
There have been positives and negatives for Gordon this season. On one hand, he is averaging 4.5 yards rush attempt and has found the end zone 5 times. He has added a further 166 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns on 30 targets with a 73.3% catch rate.
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The problem for Gordon has been the lack of volume. He has averaged just 12.3 rush attempts and 2 receptions per game. Heading into free agency, it will be interesting whether teams view Gordon as a bell-cow back or simply part of a committee.
Who are the other options in the Broncos’ backfield?
Only one other RB on the Broncos’ depth chart has more than 5 rush attempts. That is Javonte Williams, who has 670 rushing yards on 140 attempts this year. He has a further 33 receptions on 42 targets with 269 receiving yards. All told, Williams has found the end zone 4 times this season.
Mike Boone played the secondary role with Gordon out. He had 4 rush attempts for 35 yards with 1 reception on 1 target for 19 yards. Meanwhile, Williams carried the ball 23 times for 102 rushing yards with 6 receptions for 76 yards and a score. That was a season-high in rush attempts and receiving yards for Williams.
Gordon’s expected return should see him and Williams split touches in Week 14. However, with Gordon’s injury struggles, there is a chance Denver might sit him later in the game if they are leading against the Lions. That limits his potential upside as a fantasy option, but there should be enough upside in this matchup for both Gordon and Williams to have fantasy relevance.
