Melvin Gordon timeline clarification please?

[bfros 53]

Got an offer for MGIII. Trying to figure out the very latest Gordon would have play this season to accrue free agent status. I know Rapaport said he might **report* between weeks 6-8, but does that mean play? I read week 10 was when he needed to report by at the latest. Also then read that given that the team has a week 12 bye, he might not play until week 13?? Can someone clarify? When is the very latest he will play? I'm guessing the confusion lies between the idea of "reporting" vs. "playing". I guess he simply has to report by week 10?? But who knows when the Chargers put him on the field. That right? 

[AxeElf 787]

The Chargers are not required to ever play him again, if they so choose, but Gordon does have to join the team by Week 10 to accrue his year of tenure.

[bfros 53]

gotcha. So he has to make himself eligible to play by week 10. It's then up to the Chargers to play him or make him inactive?

If I got this right, is there any scenario by which they would not play him?  

[stonewall 647]

7 minutes ago, bfros said:

 is there any scenario by which they would not play him?  

Yes....if Elk is still dominating.

[AxeElf 787]

14 minutes ago, bfros said:

If I got this right, is there any scenario by which they would not play him?  

 

6 minutes ago, stonewall said:

Yes....if Elk is still dominating.

Or maybe if they're still hoping to trade him and don't want to damage the merch.