Tag: Gordon

Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) throws a pass during a Bedlam college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys (OSU) and the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023.

Bedlam burial? Sooners’ title chances, Dillion Gabriel’s Heisman hopes plummet

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Consecutive defeats have knocked Oklahoma out of the College Football Playoff picture, and have all but sunk the Heisman Trophy hopes of quarterback Dillon Gabriel.

Sporting a 7-0 record just two weeks ago, Oklahoma followed a loss at Kansas with a 27-24 loss in the final rivalry game against Oklahoma State on Saturday. After the game, DraftKings moved the Sooners (7-2, 4-2 Big 12) from +4000 to +20000 to win the national title.

Gabriel completed 26 of 37 passes for 344 yards with a touchdown and an interception, and also had a mishandled snap that led to a fumble in the fourth quarter. The Cowboys recovered and went on to kick a field goal to go up 27-21.

Among the top five Heisman favorites at +1000 just two weeks ago, Dillon entered Saturday at +3500. Those odds skyrocketed to +8000 after the loss to Oklahoma State (7-2, 5-1).

Meanwhile, Sooners running back Ollie Gordon continued his surge. After rushing for 137 yards and two touchdowns in the victory, his Heisman odds shifted from +5000 to +3000. Gordon, who had only 19 carries through the Cowboys’ first three games, has now rushed for 1,115 yards and 10 touchdowns over the past six.

The matchup was the final scheduled meeting between the Bedlam rivals in a series that has been played every year since 1910. The Sooners will move to the Southeastern Conference next season.

Oklahoma State has won five consecutive games and remains tied for first place in the Big 12.

–Field Level Media

Aug 12, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh stands with running back Melvin Gordon III (33) during the first half against the Philadelphia Eagles at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

With J.K. Dobbins done for year, Ravens turn to Melvin Gordon

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Melvin Gordon is the next man up for the Baltimore Ravens.

Head coach John Harbaugh confirmed starting running back J.K. Dobbins is out for the season with a ruptured Achilles, his second season-ending injury in the past three seasons.

But the Ravens aren’t planning to look at free agents to fill the void. At least not yet. Harbaugh said Melvin Gordon would be elevated from the practice squad as the Ravens (1-0) begin preparation for a trip to play the Cincinnati Bengals (0-1) on Sunday.

Baltimore plans to use a blend of running backs that will include Gordon, Gus Edwards and Justice Hill. Hill had two TD runs in Week 1 and Edwards logged a team-leading eight rushing attempts for 32 yards. Quarterback Lamar Jackson led the team with 38 rushing yards.

“Melvin Gordon is here for a reason. He’s a proven back and I’m very, very glad he’s here. We don’t plan to look outside the organization to add depth at running back. We love our backs,” Harbaugh said.

Gordon had 59 yards on 17 carries in the preseason. The 30-year-old was released in the final roster cut by the Ravens followed preseason, then re-signed to the practice squad.

The 15th overall pick in 2015, Gordon played for the Chargers until 2019, when he signed with the Denver Broncos as a free agent. He had 90 carries for 318 yards and two touchdowns with the Broncos in 2022.

A two-time Pro Bowl selection, Gordon has 1,567 career carries for 6,462 yards and 55 touchdowns.

–Field Level Media

Jul 27, 2023; Owings Mills, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Melvin Gordon III (33) performs a drill during training camp practice at Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Brent Skeen-USA TODAY Sports

Ravens release two-time Pro Bowl RB Melvin Gordon

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Baltimore Ravens released two-time Pro Bowl running back Melvin Gordon on Tuesday.

The release of Gordon came on a day in which Baltimore reduced its roster to 53 ahead of Tuesday’s deadline.

Gordon rushed for 59 yards on 17 carries in three preseason games for the Ravens. Baltimore kept Keaton Mitchell, an undrafted running back from East Carolina, instead of Gordon.

Gordon, 30, was a first-round draft pick (15th overall) by the then-San Diego Chargers in 2015 and rushed for 4,240 yards and 36 touchdowns for the franchise in five seasons (two in San Diego, three in Los Angeles).

Gordon played 41 games for the Denver Broncos over the past three seasons and rushed for 2,222 yards and 19 scores.

Among the players released by the Ravens on Tuesday were quarterback Josh Johnson, offensive tackle David Sharpe and receiver Laquon Treadwell. Baltimore intends to sign Treadwell to its practice squad on Wednesday. Treadwell was a first-round pick (23rd overall) by the Minnesota Vikings in 2016.

–Field Level Media

Nov 13, 2022; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Denver Broncos running back Melvin Gordon III (25) gets tackled by Tennessee Titans safety Kevin Byard (31) during the fourth quarter at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Nelles-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: RB Melvin Gordon signing with Chiefs’ practice squad

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The Kansas City Chiefs are signing running back Melvin Gordon to their practice squad, according to multiple reports on Monday.

The Denver Broncos released the two-time Pro Bowler last week, and he became a free agent upon clearing waivers.

Gordon, 29, had 318 rushing yards and two touchdowns along with 25 receptions for 223 yards over 10 games (six starts) this year. But he had fallen out of favor in Denver, as he’s become known for issues with ball security. He’s fumbled five times this season, losing two.

Gordon has fumbled 26 times, losing 18, in his eight-year NFL career with the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers (2015-19) and Broncos. The former first-round pick has amassed 6,462 rushing yards and 55 touchdowns along with 309 catches for 2,467 yards and 14 scores in 108 career games (94 starts).

Kansas City is thin at running back with Clyde Edwards-Helaire (ankle) on injured reserve. Rookie Isiah Pacheco started the past five games and has gained 455 rushing yards and scored two touchdowns over 11 games. Jerick McKinnon and Ronald Jones II are also on the roster.

The Chiefs and Broncos have yet to meet this season despite being AFC West rivals. They will play Dec. 11 at Denver and Jan. 1 at Kansas City.

–Field Level Media

Aug 25, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans running back Marlon Mack (2) runs with the ball during the third quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Short-handed Broncos signing RB Marlon Mack

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The Denver Broncos are signing running back Marlon Mack off San Francisco’s practice squad and the 26-year-old veteran will fly with the team to London on Monday for their Week 8 game.

Mack’s agents confirmed the move to ESPN. The Broncos (2-5) play the Jacksonville Jaguars (2-5) on Sunday at Wembley Stadium.

The signing comes in the aftermath of the injury to Broncos RB Mike Boone, who left the Week 7 loss to the New York Jets and was in a walking boot postgame. Denver contacted Mack’s agents — and the 49ers — before the game against the Jets had even ended, per ESPN.

Mack appeared in two games for the 49ers this season, playing just five total snaps on special teams.

The Broncos have already lost Javonte Williams (ACL) for the season and new RB1 Melvin Gordon has been largely ineffective. Boone injured his ankle in the second quarter Sunday against the Jets and did not return. It’s unclear how serious the injury is.

The Broncos signed Latavius Murray ahead of their Week 6 game; he rushed for 24 yards against the Jets. Gordon rushed 11 times for 33 yards and caught two passes for 17 yards.

The Niners signed Mack to their practice squad after he was released by the Houston Texans.

Mack ran for a career-best 1,091 yards with eight touchdowns in 2019 with the Indianapolis Colts. He has rushed for 2,484 career yards and 20 touchdowns in 47 games (23 starts) for the Colts and 49ers. He also has 57 career receptions for 448 yards and two scores.

–Field Level Media

Jul 27, 2022; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos running back Melvin Gordon (25) following training camp at the UCHealth Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Broncos RB Melvin Gordon talks with coach, will start vs. Jets

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Denver Broncos running back Melvin Gordon will start in the backfield for Sunday’s game against the visiting New York Jets, coach Nathaniel Hackett said Wednesday.

That decision comes on the heels of Gordon failing to play a single snap in the second half of Denver’s 19-16 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday. Gordon, who started the game, rushed three times for eight yards in the first half and finished with nine snaps.

Latavius Murray, in turn, finished with 15 carries for 66 yards in the loss. Murray played 27 snaps and fellow running back Mike Boone had 21.

Hackett told reporters Wednesday that he and Gordon talked about the situation but elected to keep the full context private.

“It was a great talk. Love Melvin. Have so much respect for him as a pro for all that he’s done in this league,” Hackett said of the two-time Pro Bowl selection.

Gordon, 29, wasn’t thrilled but surprised being a spectator for the second half of Monday’s game. He even went so far as to “like” multiple tweets on social media that discussed trade scenarios.

“It was a close game, I felt like I could have helped make a difference, but apparently not,” Gordon said postgame.

Gordon has a team-leading 55 carries for just 201 yards and one touchdown this season. He was expected to receive more work after Javonte Williams sustained a season-ending knee injury.

–Field Level Media

Oct 2, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams (33) is brought down by Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Denzel Perryman (52) during the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Broncos RB Javonte Williams (knee) to undergo MRI exam

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Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams sustained a possible serious right knee injury during Sunday’s loss to the Las Vegas Raiders and will undergo an MRI exam on Monday.

Williams initially was helped off the field after the first play of the third quarter but soon was carted from the Denver sideline to the locker room.

Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett said after the 32-23 loss that Williams and edge rusher Randy Gregory (knee) would undergo MRIs.

Williams is Denver’s leading rusher with 204 yards on 47 carries. He had 28 on 10 carries Sunday before exiting. He also ranks second on the Broncos with 16 receptions.

Williams was a second-round pick (35th overall) out of North Carolina in 2021.

Mike Boone (20 yards) and Melvin Gordon (8) received three carries each against the Raiders. Gordon lost a fumble that Las Vegas’ Amik Robertson returned 68 yards for a touchdown.

Gordon has fumbled four times this season, losing two. He has 139 yards and one touchdown on 37 carries.

The Broncos (2-2) host the Indianapolis Colts on Thursday night.

–Field Level Media

Aug 20, 2022; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Josh Gordon (12) catches a pass against Washington Commanders cornerback Corn Elder (26) during the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Chiefs cut WR Josh Gordon

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Kansas City’s crowded wide receiver room subtracted one notable name on Tuesday when the Chiefs released Josh Gordon.

Gordon announced the move via social media, thanking “Chiefs kingdom” for supporting him and his family.

An influx of wide receivers as Tyreek Hill was shipped to the Miami Dolphins made Gordon’s standing with the team uncertain entering training camp.

He was targeted five times in three preseason games in 2022 and had one reception in 67 total snaps, per NFL statistics.

The Chiefs drafted Skyy Moore and signed JuJu Smith-Schuster and Marquez Valdes-Scantling in free agency to go along with returning wideouts Mecole Hardman and Justin Watson, who was one of the team’s preseason standouts.

Gordon caught five passes, including a touchdown, for 32 yards in sparse playing time in 2021 with the Chiefs.

The 31-year-old was suspended for multiple seasons for violations of the NFL substance-abuse policy after earning All-Pro honors with the Cleveland Browns in 2013.

–Field Level Media

Jun 13, 2022; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos running back Melvin Gordon (25) during mini camp drills at the UCHealth Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Melvin Gordon: Broncos want Javonte Williams to win job

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Melvin Gordon re-signed with the Denver Broncos expecting a timeshare of sorts with second-year running back Javonte Williams.

Two weeks into training camp, Gordon thinks the picture might have changed.

“I think they have a plan on what they want heading in, but as far as the rotation goes, I really don’t know,” Gordon said Wednesday, per the team transcript. “I think they want ‘Vonte’ to be the guy, but we do rotate. He’ll take the first series and then the second series with the [No. 1 offense], I’ll take. Sometimes we switch, but you know kind of how it is. I don’t know how they will do the rotation.”

In 2021, Williams emerged from a backup role to earn an even split — 203 carries apiece — with Gordon, who led the team with 918 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. Williams (903, four) was fourth on the team with 43 receptions and had three TD catches.

Gordon and Williams are adapting to new coach Nathaniel Hackett’s offense. Hackett takes over after serving as offensive coordinator of the Green Bay Packers, where Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon shared carries.

“I have to go back and look at how they did things in Green Bay with the carries and things like that. My mom says just go out here and compete and go as hard as I can,” Gordon said. “I don’t know what the future holds other than that, but I just want to put my best foot forward so when I do so out there, they go, ‘OK, we need to get him out there more.’ I know I have the game; I know I can play and I still have the juice, but we’ll see.”

Gordon, 29, signed a one-year, $2.5 million deal to come back to the Broncos based on the big picture pitch from Hackett.

“I know when I get in there, I have to make it count and that’s all that matters,” Gordon said. “I have to do what it takes — ‘Hack’ told me coming in, it’s about the Super Bowl. It’s about winning the Super Bowl and we are going to do whatever is best for the team. I’m bought into that 100 percent because I want the ring more than anything.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 7, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; Denver Broncos running back Melvin Gordon III (25) in action during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Denver Broncos at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Broncos RB Melvin Gordon to miss game vs. Chiefs

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Denver Broncos leading rusher Melvin Gordon will miss Sunday night’s AFC West clash with the host Kansas City Chiefs due to hip and shoulder injuries.

The Broncos downgraded Gordon to out on Saturday after he didn’t travel with the team to Kansas City.

Gordon didn’t practice all week.

Rookie Javonte Williams will serve as the main ball carrier with Gordon sidelined.

Williams has been solid with 568 rushing yards and two touchdowns. The second-round pick out of North Carolina also has 27 receptions for 193 yards and one score.

Gordon leads the Broncos with 605 rushing yards and five touchdowns. He also has 22 catches for 166 yards and two scores.

Kansas City will be without cornerback Rashad Fenton (knee) and offensive lineman Lucas Niang (ribs).

–Field Level Media