It appears Melvin Gordon wants to get back on the field, even if he’s not getting a raise.
The Los Angeles Chargers running back, whose contract holdout extended into the NFL regular season, is planning to report to the team on Thursday, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. NFL Network and ESPN reported that a return date isn’t set, but Gordon’s holdout is expected to end soon.
Gordon, 26, began his holdout by not reporting to training camp. The Chargers have gone 1-2 so far without the two-time Pro Bowler, needing overtime to beat the Colts in Week 1 before losing by three to the Lions and seven to the Texans, who came back from a 10-point halftime deficit.
Last week on Instagram, Gordon said he’s “going to play somewhere” this season and that it’d be “a waste of talent” if he sat out all year. Gordon is in the final year of his rookie deal which was set to net him $5.6 million this season.
Gordon wants to be paid like one of the league’s top running backs. Right before Week 1, Ezekiel Elliott ended his Cowboys holdout when he signed a six-year, $90 million contract extension, making him the highest-paid running back in the NFL.
Before the season started, Chargers GM Tom Telesco said the team was tabling contract talks until after the season.
Austin Ekeler has filled in admirably for Gordon, rushing for 160 yards, catching 19 passes for 208 yards and scoring four total touchdowns in three games.

