The Los Angeles Chargers appear to be on the cusp of parting ways with running back Melvin Gordon in the 2019 NFL season. Fortunately, head coach Anthony Lynn is confident that his backups will be able to fill the void.
Running backs Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson have seen their roles increase in Gordon's absence. According to ESPN's Eric D. Williams, Lynn will be relying on the duo to lead the backfield:
“I’ve always used those guys as a tandem,” Lynn said. “That’s not going to change. We’re going to put guys in good positions to do what they do best.”
Lynn's comments indicate that the two will likely split touches going into the season. With Gordon out, he hopes Ekeler and Jackson can emerge into a viable 1-2 punch.
The Chargers have managed to secure plenty of bang for their buck when it comes to running backs. Ekeler has largely played a complementary role to Gordon since signing with the team as an undrafted free agent prior to the 2017 campaign. He etched out an integral role for himself thanks to his prowess as a receiver out of the backfield.
Jackson arrived a year later as a seventh-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Although his opportunities as a rookie were limited, it is clear that he has made quite the impression on the coaching staff through training camp and the preseason. Like Ekeler, he also boasts a versatile skill set that makes him a matchup problem for opposing defenses.
It will be interesting to see how Lynn goes about splitting touches between them.
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