Chargers Officially Activate RB Melvin Gordon, Cut DE Chris Peace & CB Dontae Johnson

The Los Angeles Chargers announced that they have officially activated RB Melvin Gordon while waiving DE Chris Peace and releasing CB Dontae Johnson in corresponding roster moves.  

• The Chargers also promoted WR Andre Patton from their practice squad to the active roster. 

We've activated Melvin Gordon, signed Andre Patton to our active roster, waived Chris Peace and released Dontae Johnson. pic.twitter.com/pM4nPbS5LG

— Los Angeles Chargers (@Chargers) September 28, 2019

Mike Jones reported earlier today that the Chargers are planning to play Gordon on a limited snap count in Week 4’s game and was already activated after ending his holdout. 

Yesterday, Chargers HC Anthony Lynn admitted that “there’s a chance” Gordon could suit up, so the running back quickly trended toward playing since returning to the team last week. 

“I’ve said all along there’s a chance,” Lynn said. “He’s looked fine. He’s in good shape, but he hasn’t been practicing football, so obviously he’s not ready to go back in there and carry the load right now but you never know, he may have to.”

“We understand that Melvin has been back for a day and a half so we have to be careful with if he plays, how much he plays, and if he even played,” Lynn added.

Los Angeles has already ruled out RB Justin Jackson for Sunday’s game, which leaves the Chargers short at running back. 

“We do what we gotta do to win,” Gordon said Friday when asked if he’d be ready to play if called on. “For the most part, I think I’ll be alright.”

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Gordon is liable for $1.2 million in fines and could lose out on $989,118 worth of base salary for holding out through the first three games.

Gordon can still earn $4,615,882 of his base salary this year, and Schefter reports he plans to become a free agent next season if the Chargers allow him to leave. 

Gordon, 26, is a former first-round pick out of Wisconsin by the Chargers in the 2015 NFL Draft. He signed a four-year $10.669 million rookie contract that was fully guaranteed and made a base salary of $1,889,967 for the 2018 season.

The Chargers picked up Gordon’s fifth-year option this past May worth $5,605,000 for the 2019 season.

In 2018, Gordon appeared in 12 games for the Chargers and rushed for 885 yards on 175 carries (5.1 YPC) to go along with 50 receptions for 490 yards receiving and 14 total touchdowns. Pro Football Focus had him rated as the No. 7 running back out of 62 qualifying players in 2018. 

Johnson, 27, is a former fourth-round pick of the 49ers back in 2014. He played out the final year of his four-year, $2,620,544 contract with the 49ers before signing on with the Seahawks in 2018.

After brief stints with the Bills and Cardinals in 2018, Johnson signed on with the Chiefs this offseason. Kansas City released him in May and Johnson returned to the 49ers, only to be let go during final roster cuts. 

The Chargers signed him to their active roster earlier this month, making his stint in Los Angeles short-lived. 

In 2017, Johnson appeared in all 16 games for the 49ers and recorded 77 tackles, one interception returned for a touchdown and seven pass defenses.