Chargers’ Gordon has more to celebrate

East Rutherford: The 1,000-yard season for an NFL running back lost much of its lustre when the league expanded its regular season from 14 to 16 games in 1978.

But when you’ve never reached that threshold — and actually have fallen three yards short of it — it becomes a little more significant.

That’s another reason why Chargers running back Melvin Gordon was in a celebratory mood after passing the 1,000-yard mark with a seven-yard run early in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 14-7 win over the New York Jets.

“It means a lot, man — a lot of hard work,” said Gordon, who also scored the decisive touchdown on a one-yard run with about five minutes left in the third quarter. “It hasn’t been easy. I was supposed to get it last year and fell short.

“But kudos to my offensive line, the tight ends, the receivers, the fullback, everybody’s been blocking down the field. It’s a great accomplishment, but there’s still more to come. I’m not content with getting 1,000 yards, especially with backs out there getting 1,200 and 1,300.”

Gordon finished with 81 yards on 19 carries, giving him 1,012 yards on the season. He also had three catches for 47 yards, giving him 52 for 445. He has 11 total touchdowns.

“It just means durability, consistency and showing up every week,” coach Anthony Lynn said of Gordon’s rushing total. “That’s a little over 65 yards a game; something like that. That’s what it tells me, that the guy is available and he’s consistent.”