San Diego Chargers running back Melvin Gordon is considered day-to-day by the team with a hip strain and left knee strain, a MRI revealed on Monday.

Gordon underwent microfracture surgery on the same knee in January.

“That was a huge relief,” said Chargers coach Mike McCoy, who did not rule out Gordon’s return for the last three games of the season, including their Sunday match-up with the Oakland Raiders. “You see the way it was, and 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.”

The injuries were sustained by Gordon in the first quarter of the Chargers’ 28-16 loss to the Carolina Panthers yesterday. Gordon was hit in the back by Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis trying to recover a Philip Rivers fumble.

There is hope on Gordon’s side that he will be able to return this season despite his injuries:

“I’m very hopeful,” he said, per Chargers.com.  “It’s alright. It is what it is.  I’m going to take it day by day… It’s the beast of the game.  We all kind of know how it goes.  You can’t hang your head down too low.  That won’t do anything for me.”

On Monday, Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Tribune reported that Gordon was able to walk without crutches.

Gordon, 23, has enjoyed a resurgent 2016 season after a disappointing rookie season. He is three rushing yards away from a 1,000 yard rushing season, and has 12 total touchdowns this season after not having one all of last year.

Despite being only three yards away from 1,000, Gordon says he won’t play if he doesn’t feel like his body will be able to handle it:

“It would mean a lot, but I’m just going to take it for what it is.  If I feel I can go back out there and be ready, I’m going to go back out there,” Gordon said. “I know my body.  If I can go out there and feel I can be productive, then I’ll be out there.  If I can’t, we’ve got the guys who will make it up for me.”

If Gordon is unable to go on Sunday, rookie running back Kenneth Farrow will likely get the start in Gordon’s place, while Ronnie Hillman could also see an increased workload due to Danny Woodhead being on injured reserve.

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