Casey Hayward will have a familiar face with him in Orlando as another Charger is headed to the Pro Bowl.
Running back Melvin Gordon will replace Le'Veon Bell on the AFC roster after the Steelers' star suffered a groin injury in Sunday's AFC Championship Game. He becomes the first Chargers running back to appear in the annual all-star showcase since Ryan Mathews in 2012.
Gordon took the NFL by storm this season with a breakout sophomore campaign. In 13 games, he finished with 254 carries for 997 yards, averaging 3.9 yards per attempt with 10 touchdowns along with 41 receptions for 419 yards and two TD catches.
The 23-year old ranked among the league leaders in a number of categories despite missing essentially the final quarter of the season with hip and knee injuries. Gordon ranked seventh in the NFL in both rushing touchdowns (10) and first downs (61). He also tied for second in the NFL with three rushes of at least 40 yards. A dual threat, Gordon's 1,416 total yards from scrimmage ranked 10th in the league, and were also the 16th most in franchise history.
When all was said and done, Gordon turned a number of heads, including the great LaDainian Tomlinson.
"I'm very proud of him," LT said earlier this month. "He's a very motivated young man. I knew that when I first met him. I knew he had a lot of potential, and talking to him before this year, I knew he was motivated to put his first season behind him. He wanted to show people he's a baller and he could play. That is what I'm most proud of. For a lot of guys, that type of year can hinder your career going through a struggle like that his rookie season….I thought he showed a lot of promise. He showed what everyone knew that he had coming out of Wisconsin, and it certainly makes it exciting to see him (step up). I'm excited for years to come with what his possibilities are. I can't wait to see him next year now."
