Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon will be inactive tonight's game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Gordon went through pregame workouts while wearing a brace on his sprained right knee, but was ruled out by head coach Anthony Lynn and general manager Tom Telesco.
The 25-year-old has 802 yards and nine touchdowns on 153 rushing attempts, as well as 44 receptions for 453 yards and four scores.
The former Pro Bowl selection will miss his third consecutive game and his fourth of the 2018 season. Gordon experienced the injury on Nov. 25 against the Arizona Cardinals and sat out for Los Angeles' last two games against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals, both of which resulted in victories.
He also missed the Chargers' Week 7, 20-19, victory over the Tennessee Titans in London.
Fellow running back Austin Ekeler, who had started in Gordon's absence, will also be inactive for Thursday's game due to a concussion and bruised nerve in his neck. Rookie Justin Jackson will make his first career start, while fellow rookie Detrez Newsome will be the Chargers No. 2 option at running back.
Los Angeles also promoted Troymaine Pope from its practice squad to its active roster in the absence of Gordon and Ekeler.
"I've been grinding hard to get back and we're still trying to decide what we're going to do," Gordon said Tuesday. "I know Coach is trying to be careful and doesn't want me to further hurt myself or things like that. So we'll see where that goes, but I'm a lot stronger and more confident than I was last week."
The Chargers will also be without defensive tackle Brandon Mebane, who will miss his third straight game in order to be with his daughter, Makenna, in Omaha, Nebraska, where she is currently in prenatal intensive care dealing with a heart condition.
Kansas City safety Eric Berry will make his first appearance of the 2018 campaign after experiencing a heel injury that caused him to miss the last 13 games, dating back to last season. Star wide receiver Tyreek Hill (heel/wrist) is active and will start after being listed as questionable.
However, the Chiefs will be without several key players including wide receiver Sammy Watkins (foot), running back Spencer Ware (shoulder, hamstring) and guard Cameron Erving (knee). Damien Williams will start at running back in Ware's absence.
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