Chargers' Melvin Gordon (ankle) questionable vs. Raiders

ByEric Williams ESPN logo

Friday, December 29, 2017

COSTA MESA, Calif. -- Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon was a limited practice participant for a second straight day Friday because of a left ankle injury, and he has been listed as questionable for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Oakland Raiders.

Gordon suffered the injury late in last week's road win over the New York Jets. Gordon said earlier this week that he'll be ready to play Sunday against the Raiders.

"We're going to run him full speed tomorrow and see how he feels," Chargers coach Anthony Lynn said. "I thought [Friday] he moved around better and participated in practice more. But today was more of a glide and slide, so it wasn't a lot of full speed work. So he'll get another evaluation tomorrow."

Four times this season, Gordon has been listed as questionable with knee, shoulder or foot issues. But he has always played on game days. Gordon is looking to play a full, 16-game season for the first time in his three-year NFL career.

If Gordon can't play, Branden Oliver likely would get the start, with Austin Ekeler serving as the backup. The Chargers also could promote Russell Hansbrough from the practice squad to the active roster.

"I'm fine," Gordon said Friday. "I'll probably get a couple sprints in [Saturday]. They're just trying to be patient with me. They don't want me to just rush out there because you know how we are -- we're just wired and ready to go. So they just want me to take my time and don't do anything crazy."

Along with Gordon, safety Adrian Phillips did not practice all week because of an ankle injury and has been ruled out. With Phillips unavailable, rookie safety Rayshawn Jenkins could get more time on defense in obvious passing situations.

The Chargers also could get a couple of impact players back Sunday. Linebacker Denzel Perryman (hamstring), left tackle Russell Okung (groin) and defensive tackle Corey Liuget (knee) missed last week's game against the Jets, but all were limited participants in practice this week and are listed as questionable for Sunday's game.