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While Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon had been in the midst of one of the most unsuccessful holdouts seen so far, his backup Austin Ekeler has been producing.
With Wednesday's news that Gordon will be returning to the team this week, although unable to play in this week's matchup against Miami, it means that Ekeler's role and usage will go down.
When asked about Gordon's return, Ekeler seemed excited to have his teammates back as the Bolts are looking to bounce back from back-to-back disappointing losses to the Lions and Texans.
Austin Ekeler on return of Melvin Gordon: We’ve got a little swag back in the room,” Ekeler said. “It’s good to see Melvin back in the office. We’ve got one of our playmakers back on our team. I’m glad they got everything figured out, and he’s back with us.” pic.twitter.com/RTpIBR7NsJ
— Eric Williams (@eric_d_williams) September 26, 2019
As Ekeler has played great while filling in for Gordon, albeit except for a big fumble against the Lions, Gordon might have been getting nervous with all the money lost and his backup playing just as well as one might assume Gordon would have played up to this point.
The holdout actually worked out well for the Chargers as they actually netted a profit, fining Gordon $1.2 million while also losing $989,000 in the games he has already missed, all of which adding up to more money than the three year $1.66 million contract Ekeler signed as an undrafted free agent in 2017.
Gordon's absence in Week 4's game will not be missed as Los Angeles will face the tanking Miami Dolphins, a team who is seemingly trying to lose games.
Their matchup against the Broncos in the week Gordon is expected to return will be a must-win division game if the Chargers are looking to recapture the magic they held last season.
