Denver Broncos running back Melvin Gordon fumbled again in Week 4, marking his fourth fumble of the season and the fifth-straight game that he’s fumbled dating back to last season.
With Javonte Williams (knee) now out for the year, though, Denver’s not rushing to bench Gordon. Instead, the team’s coaches and players have backed the running back to bounce back against the Indianapolis Colts on Thursday Night Football this week.
“Melvin is a true pro,” coach Nathaniel Hackett said Monday. “This is a guy that’s been doing this for a long time. He’s harder on himself than anybody. He’s part of our team and we love the guy. He knows there was a mishap right there.
“[Thursday is] a great opportunity for him to get back out in the field and prove himself. We’re excited to be part of it and put him in great positions to be able to make plays.”
Hackett went on to say on Monday that he’s looking forward to watching Gordon stepping up and having a “great game” against the Colts. One day later, offensive coordinator Justin Outten said the Broncos are counting on Gordon to “carry the load” on Tuesday, and he emphasized that he trusts the running back.
Clearly, the Broncos’ coaches want to see Gordon bounce back, and it sounds like they’ll give him an opportunity to do so on a short week.
Denver quarterback Russell Wilson has been doing his part by encouraging his teammate to move on from the mishaps.
“I told Melvin, ‘Listen, do you think that Adrian Peterson never fumbled, or Walter Payton, or Barry Sanders, or anybody,'” Wilson said. “‘Stuff is going happen. You think that Tom Brady, or Drew Brees, or myself have never thrown an interception? You got to respond.’
“We got a lot of season left, what a gift. We got a lot of season left, we can respond the right way and that’s what we’re going to do. There is no other way, there is no other option.”
Indeed, the Broncos have 13 more games remaining this season. After a disappointing loss in Las Vegas, Gordon — and the entire team — will aim to bounce back at home against the Colts on Thursday.
