The Chargers feared the worst when Melvin Gordon was carted off the field early in Sunday's loss to the Carolina Panthers.
Fortunately, it appears the Bolts dodged a bullet.
Head Coach Mike McCoy admitted as much when he announced the star running back suffered a hip strain and knee sprain when trying to recover a loose ball in the first quarter. The team initially believed the injury could have been more severe.
"That was a huge relief," he said. "You see the way it was (when he went down). I made too many trips out to the field yesterday, and really all year long. You don't want to see anybody get carted off. It's tough… We will take it day-to-day. We will see where he is. I talked to him this morning and he is going to work hard to get back out there as soon as he can."
Number 28 is only three shy of 1,000 rushing yards for the season. While reaching that milestone is a significant accomplishment, McCoy said the Bolts won't risk Gordon's long-term health simply the reach that mark.
"The health of the player is number one. It is not just this year; it is the future. We are not just going to throw him out here just to get a couple more yards so he can say, 'I got 1,000 yards'. And he doesn't want that either. We are going to make sure that he is ready to go and be Melvin when he gets back on the field. That is the most important thing."
Gordon wasn't the only high profile Charger injured in the contest as San Diego lost standout rookie Joey Bosa, who left the game after sacking Cam Newton. The defensive end lay flat on the field immediately after bringing down the reigning league MVP, and eventually walked into the locker room with members of the Chargers staff.
McCoy provided an update on Bosa as well, and the results were encouraging.
"Joey, as you all have asked, he was being evaluated for a concussion. He did not have a concussion; he has a neck strain. He should be out there (against the Raiders)."
