Running back hex or luck? The Los Angeles Chargers running situation

The Los Angeles Chargers running back drama continues with Melvin Gordon’s holdout, but the team really does not need Melvin. They can use the tandem of Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson to fill the void Melvin would leave them with.

Melvin Gordon was supposed to be the Los Angeles Chargers running back of the future. Instilled with talent and better than most of the running backs in the league, Gordon holding out for a new contract would be one of the worst things for the Chargers. Except, it’s not.

The reason being — Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson. Two guys who are more than hungry to get touches and earn themselves the money Melvin Gordon gets now.

Austin Ekeler has proved himself to be worthy of the starting role. He has looked the part even more in the preseason, making the most of the limited touches he gets. That, for some reason, seems to be his shtick.

Ekeler last season only had 106 rushing attempts on the year. Yet he still managed 554 rushing yards. He is also not some one-dimensional player either. Ekeler can catch the ball, and he can do it really well.

Ekeler caught 39 passes last season for a total of 404 yards. He even split his touchdowns between rushing and receiving even with three rushing touchdowns and three receiving touchdowns. All with number two running back playing time.

Now is he going to be as prolific as Melvin Gordon is? Probably not, but he isn’t going to fall flat on his face either. He seems more than willing to embrace the role that will ultimately be given to him.

In the Los Angeles Chargers first preseason game, Ekeler had 40 rushing yards on only five attempts. Not to mention he caught the ball three times for 29 yards. Although he did end up with a fumble in the game, you cannot overlook his potential as the starter for this team.

Overall, he would fill the pass-catching void that Melvin would leave the team with and he also isn’t too shabby of a runner either. Not a bad backup option to have for the Los Angeles Chargers.

The only thing is that he isn’t the only backup that can help fill the void Melvin would leave. Justin Jackson would also be a big help.

Although he did not play a whole lot last season, he still managed to end the year with 206 rushing yards on 50 attempts. The negative thing that is attached to Justin Jackson is that he does not have the experience Ekeler does. Not to mention he does not seem to be a part of the pass-catching role for the Chargers.

Yet, the potential is there for Justin Jackson to break out and have a great year. In the couple preseason games he has played in, Jackson has gotten more rushing options than passing. Only catching one pass for nine yards.

In his first preseason game, he got 22 yards on five rushing attempts and a touchdown. What Justin Jackson seems to be is the goal-line option for the Chargers, at least that’s how it looks to be based on from the preseason.

In his second preseason game, he only got 33 yards on eight rushing attempts. Justin Jackson still has a lot to prove and while he deserves to be a good running back in the NFL, that comes with the experience and the playtime. Both of which he does not have much of.

The Los Angeles Chargers are in a better spot than most teams with their running back positions. To have such quality backups in this day and age is a gift. Fans should look forward to seeing these two guys battle it out on the turf every day for their team.

The future still looks bright for the Chargers, and it looks even brighter for Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson.