LA Chargers exercise 5th-year option on RB Melvin Gordon

   COSTA MESA, Calif. (AP) -- The Los Angeles Chargers have exercised their fifth-year contract option for 2019 on running back Melvin Gordon.

   The Bolts announced the long-expected move Wednesday.

   Gordon is a workhorse ball-carrier for the Chargers, who had one of the NFL's most productive attacks last season.

   Gordon finished fifth in the NFL with 1,581 yards from scrimmage during the Chargers' relocation season, while his 1,105 yards rushing were seventh in the league.

   The Wisconsin product was the 15th overall pick in the 2015 draft.

   The Chargers chose prolific Northwestern running back Justin Jackson in the seventh round last week to provide depth behind Gordon and Austin Ekeler, who emerged as a surprisingly effective backup last season after signing as an undrafted free agent.