NFL notebook: Chargers Gordon, Allen, Ekeler likely to play this week

The Los Angeles Chargers are optimistic to see a few key cogs return to the field for their next game. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that running backs Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler as well as wide receiver Keenan Allen have a "legitimate chance" to play on Saturday (8:20 p.m.) as the surging Chargers (11-3) host the Baltimore Ravens (8-6). Gordon has missed the last three games with a sprained MCL while Ekeler sat out Thursday's 29-28 win over the Kansas City Chiefs with a neck injury. Allen sustained a hip pointer in that contest versus the AFC West-leading Chiefs (11-3), who hold the tiebreaker over the Chargers due to a better division record. The 25-year-old Gordon was injured on a reverse early in the second half of a 45-10 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Nov. 25, with a leg whip by defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche taking him down for a 10-yard loss. Gordon has a team-leading 802 rushing yards on 153 carries for a 5.2 per-carry average. The 6-foot-1, 215-pound Gordon also has 44 catches for 453 receiving yards and 13 total touchdowns (nine rushing, four receiving) on the season. --Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones said he thinks he sustained a sprained MCL in Sunday's 24-17 setback to the Chicago Bears, according to a published report. Per the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Jones' leg was straight at the moment of impact on a tackle during the first quarter. "I feel like if it was bent, it wouldn't have been as bad," the 24-year-old Jones said. Jones, who exited after rushing for eight yards on four carries, said the injury felt similar to one he sustained to his MCL during the 2017 season. The second-year back missed two games following that injury, and a similar diagnosis would likely hand the starting responsibilities to Jamaal Williams as the Packers (5-8-1) play their final two contests of the regular season. Jones is set to undergo further tests on his knee with team doctor Pat McKenzie and the training staff. The 5-foot-9, 208-pound Jones has rushed for 728 yards and eight touchdowns this season while adding 26 receptions for 206 yards and a score. --Tennessee Titans cornerback Logan Ryan took to social media on Monday morning to announce that he will miss the remainder of the season with a broken left fibula. Ryan sustained the injury during the Titans' 17-0 win over the New York Giants on Sunday at MetLife Stadium. The 27-year-old felt he was in the right to go public with the news. "I believe a player should break his own news about his body," Ryan wrote on Twitter above his attached message. The following is Ryan's post on Twitter: "I poured my heart and soul into this season so it's unfortunate. However, anyone who knows me knows how relentlessly I will train to come back a better player with fewer weaknesses. I am proud of how I played, I'm proud of how my team is playing, and I'm proud I was able to walk off the field with a broken leg. I will continue to support the team and coach up the DB's while we make this run for the playoffs. Also I am proud to say my 76 tackles this season raised over $12,000 dollars for animal rescue. It's all love." --Tyler Boyd's season is in jeopardy after the Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver sustained a knee injury during the opening drive of the third quarter in Sunday's win over the Oakland Raiders. NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported that Boyd has a low-grade MCL sprain. The injury could sideline him for the remaining two contests of the season for the Bengals (6-8), who snapped a five-game skid with a 30-16 victory versus the Raiders. On Sunday, Boyd became the first Bengals wide receiver not named A.J. Green to reach 1,000 receiving yards for a season since Chad Johnson in 2009. Prior to his injury, Boyd celebrated a touchdown catch with a reprise of Johnson's "River Dance" celebration. "I don't even know. It's been awhile," Boyd said of the last time he practiced the dance. Boyd, who finished with four catches for 38 yards and a score against the Raiders, posted career highs in receptions (76), receiving yards (1,028) and touchdowns (seven) this season. --Miami Dolphins running back Frank Gore is not expected to play again this season, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Monday. Gore, who has played in 126 consecutive regular-season contests, sustained a sprained foot in the second quarter of Sunday's 41-17 setback to the Minnesota Vikings. He was slated to have an MRI on Monday. The 35-year-old Gore, who finished with 14 yards on five carries, remained on the field for several minutes before struggling to his feet and limping to the sideline. Gore was evaluated in the team's medical tent before being carted off to the locker room. Gore has rushed for a team-leading 722 yards while reeling in 12 receptions for 124 yards and a touchdown for the Dolphins (7-7), who host the Jacksonville Jaguars (4-10) on Sunday (1 p.m. ET).