Denver Broncos running back Melvin Gordon III. Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Broncos RB Melvin Gordon to start vs. Jets after Week 6 benching

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 10/19/22

Denver Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett said Wednesday that Melvin Gordon will be getting the start at running back when the team faces the New York Jets in Week 7 on Sunday.

#broncos RB Melvin Gordon will start for the #broncos vs the #jets per Nathaniel Hackett.
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) October 19, 2022

With second-year pro Javonte Williams out for the rest of the season due to a torn ACL, Gordon was assumed to be the lead back for the struggling offense. After going for 103 scrimmage yards on 18 touches during Williams' first full-game absence in Week 5, Gordon was curiously benched after just three carries for eight yards (all in the first half) in Week 6.

In place of the 29-year-old two-time Pro Bowler, 32-year-old journeyman Latavius Murray played the role of RB1 on Monday, churning out 66 scoreless yards on 15 carries. Mike Boone had just one rushing attempt but saw four targets to Gordon's zero (in his "revenge game" against his former Chargers team).

In six games (two starts) this season, Gordon has recorded 55 carries for 201 yards and one touchdown, while adding 11 catches for 98 additional yards through the air.

Denver (2-4) enters Week 7 on a three-game losing streak, while the Jets (4-2) have won three in a row.

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