The Sports Xchange

SAN DIEGO — Running back Melvin Gordon didn’t practice with the San Diego Chargers on Sunday, which sent up an immediate red flag.

But on Monday, Gordon was front and center in a training camp session that leaned heavily toward the run.

Gordon, and head coach Mike McCoy, said Sunday’s sabbatical was just a rest day.

On Monday, Gordon was back at it as the team inches closer to its preseason opener against the Dallas Cowboys on Aug. 13.

“I’m definitely looking forward to going out there and playing that first game,” said Gordon, the team’s top pick. “It’s going to be exciting, but right now the focus is on training camp.”

It’s a training camp that featured a special visitor on Saturday: Chargers icon LaDainian Tomlinson. Gordon admits it’s cool joining the same franchise as Tomlinson. The 6-foot-1, 215-pound Gordon has been a fan of Tomlinson’s since he was a kid.

“I think every running back wants to be LT at some point and time,” Gordon said. “I definitely watched him, but I didn’t break down film or anything like that. But it was good talking to him and being able to communicate with him.”

Are there nuances Gordon can graft from Tomlinson’s game?

“It’s hard to really imitate a back — his quickness, his stiff arm — that is just kind of his natural ability,” Gordon said. “I really don’t know what I can do out there on this level yet.”

Gordon said he wasn’t aware that Tomlinson had the team’s rookie rushing record of 1,236 yards.

“I really don’t care about that, man,” said Gordon, who led FBS schools in rushing with the second-highest total ever last year. “I’m just trying to go out here and play the best that I can.”

He did so on Monday, the third straight day the players were in pads.

“It’s been good going with the pads,” Gordon said. “This is real football, this is the game of football in the NFL. You get some time with the offensive linemen, get in sync. This is what training camp is for.”

So far, Gordon hasn’t disappointed.

–The highlight of Monday’s session was a diving touchdown catch by Stevie Johnson in the team’s 11-on-11 drill. It was one of just another great reception Johnson is turning in on a regular basis.

“That’s football, man,” Johnson said. “That’s what it’s about. It felt like a game out there and the defensive backs are saying the same thing.”

Said quarterback Philip Rivers, “That was a great catch.”

–If anyone is looking for a good battle, keep an eye on strong safety where Jahleel Addae and newcomer Jimmy Wilson, who are squaring off. “That is going to be a competitive battle,” head coach Mike McCoy said.

–Another good camp competition will be at right guard between Johnnie Troutman and newcomer Joe Barksdale.

–Defensive tackle Tenny Palepoi was waived/injured with a foot injury and will be placed on reserve/injured after clearing waivers.