Branden

Oliver

Oliver missed the final eight weeks on I.R. with turf toe. He’s been cleared since OTAs and hasn’t had setbacks. With Melvin Gordon (knee) on track for Week 1, Oliver doesn’t project for more than a backup role.

We’re not doctors, but you could practically see Oliver’s Achilles’ tendon pop in slow motion. The Chargers have since confirmed. Oliver will be done for the season. Oliver is a jack-of-all-trades backup behind Danny Woodhead and Melvin Gordon. It leaves the Bolts with little room for error if Woodhead gets hurt or Gordon doesn’t take a step forward.

Coming off an Achilles’ tear, Oliver likely will not take more than the lowest tender to retain, and that would be a smart investment for the Chargers with Danny Woodhead set to hit free agency. If Woodhead leaves and the Chargers do not add anyone of note in the draft, Oliver could play an important role behind starter Melvin Gordon in 2017.

Oliver has had terrible injury luck the last two years, ending both seasons on I.R. with toe and Achilles injuries. The Chargers are still in need of running back depth after losing Danny Woodhead to the Ravens. Perhaps they’ll retain Oliver at a lower cost.

Oliver wasn’t tendered as a restricted free agent. Recovering from a torn Achilles’ tendon, the Chargers correctly assumed they could re-sign Oliver for less than the “low” tender of $1.797 million. When healthy, Oliver is a versatile backup who does a little bit of everything, but nothing at an above-average level.

Oliver is coming off a brutal injury, but he suffered it last August and will be over a full year removed for Week 1. “It’s been great (having him back),” Rivers. “Gosh, we had really such high expectations for him going into last year. ... He looks good. He looks explosive. I know it’s early, but I think he really is a great complement to Melvin (Gordon). Their styles are different, but similar. (We) have two backs who can run all the same plays.” Oliver is a handcuff to remember entering the 2017 fantasy season.

Oliver is competing for the backup job behind Melvin Gordon after a brutal Achilles’ tear ended his 2016. Averaging 1.4 yards-per-carry won’t help to solidify this, but the Chargers’ offensive line struggled to open up anything for all the running backs. Oliver is still the favorite to be the handcuff to Gordon this season. Andre Williams doesn’t present much of a competition.

He failed to bring in his only target and looked to be the primary third-down guy, but the Chargers went away from him in the second half. After Oliver’s eight first-half snaps, his three snaps in the second half matched third-stringer Austin Ekeler’s second half work. Oliver’s fantasy value is as Melvin Gordon’s handcuff.

Returning from a torn Achilles’ tendon, Oliver had a rough summer (15/34/0), but doesn’t have any real competition for the No. 2 job behind Melvin Gordon. Oliver is the handcuff, though a committee would likely emerge were Gordon to miss time.

Oliver missed all of last season with an Achilles’ tear suffered in the preseason, but he was already back to full health by OTAs. Williams believes Oliver’s running style is a “nice contrast” to starter Melvin Gordon and notes Oliver has stood up well in pass protection early in camp. His role likely will not be fantasy worthy even if he beats out Andre Williams and Kenjon Barner for the backup job, but Oliver will be a name to know on the waiver wire if something happens to Gordon.