New England Patriots will likely catch break vs. Los Angeles Chargers with running back Melvin Gordon not being 100 percent

The Chargers have one of the best running backs in the NFL in Melvin Gordon, but it doesn’t appear he will be at full strength for Sunday’s AFC divisional round game against the Patriots.

Gordon suffered a knee injury in the wild card game against the Ravens.

“He was rocking a knee brace when he came back into the game and didn’t quite look like himself, but he does have a week off now to try and get better, the full week of practice I should say, to try and get better,” NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport said Tuesday. “My understanding is it is a similar injury to last time, which is a little bit of a knee sprain. Something that obviously did allow him to come back, but maybe slowed him a little bit and of course for a running back this is at the very least something to keep an eye on. But it is a playoff game and we’ve seen guys play through a lot. My understanding is Gordon is expected to be out there, just may not exactly look like his old self.”

Gordon finished the game against the Ravens with just 40 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries.

In 12 games this season, Gordon recorded 175 carries for 885 yards and 10 touchdowns, but he injured the other knee late in the year and wasn’t the same after returning. In the final two games of the regular season, he had 41 and 42 yards rushing respectively.

If the Wisconsin product isn’t 100 percent, it is great news for the Patriots as it can focus more on stopping Philip Rivers and the passing game.

From @NFLTotalAccess: #Chargers RB Melvin Gordon, who injured his knee and came back in the game last weekend, is dealing with a little knee sprain. But it’s nothing that makes his availability in doubt. pic.twitter.com/TEiVgXjXsR

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 8, 2019

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