Nathaniel Hackett sends a message to Melvin Gordon after the Broncos 32-23 loss to the Raiders

LAS VEGAS — Entering Week 4, Melvin Gordon was tied with Hunter Renfrow for the most fumbles in the NFL among non-quarterbacks.

In the first three games of the season, Gordon had put the ball on the ground three times.

That played a role in the veteran running back not getting his first carry on Sunday until deep in the second quarter. And his first carry on the day did not go as planned.

With 3:31 left in the second, Gordon got his first opportunity of the game. From the Raiders’ 42-yard line, Melvin powered forward for seven yards before the ball flew out of his hands. The Raiders not only recovered the fumble, but took it 68 yards to the house for a massive swing in the game.

“Anytime you turn the ball over, it’s a big swing. And then, that leading to a touchdown on the same recovery is obviously rough,” Hackett said after the game, when asked about Gordon’s fourth fumble on the season. “It’s hard to win games, whenever you lose the turnover differential and it being a score.”

Entering Sunday, Javonte Williams had 37 carries, while Gordon had 34. The running back load was nearly split down the middle. But not on Sunday. And that began even before Gordon’s fumble. In fact, Williams had six carries against the Raiders before Gordon even got his first.

When asked what his trust level is with Gordon, taking into consideration Melvin didn’t get the ball until late in the second quarter, Hackett sent a clear message.

“In the end, you can’t put the ball on the ground. It’s that simple,” Hackett stated after Denver’s 32-23 loss. “We always say take care of the ball. That’s the most important thing. It’s not like he’s trying to do it, we understand that, but we just have to be even better with ball security across the board. The other guys did a good job and Melvin had that one.”

Following Gordon’s fumble, Melvin only touched the ball two more times in the game.

“My job to to go out there make play, hold onto the ball and help put this team in the best position to win. I didn’t do that today,” Gordon said after the game. “I’ll be alright.”

Gordon’s three carries tied him with Mike Boone for the fewest on the day for the Broncos and his eight rushing yards was the fewest on the team.

Moving forward, however, the Broncos likely won’t be able to move away from Gordon as Javonte Williams is feared to have suffered a serious knee injury on the first play of the second half.

Despite a tough day, and an emotional postgame press conference, Gordon said he’ll have to push through the criticism “for the team.”

“I care about them boys more than any fan, any person,” Gordon said. “I make a mistake, the guys are over there to cheer me up and get me back right. Those boys believe in me. I just got to do better.”

The Broncos, and Gordon, will have an opportunity for a quick bounce back as they play the Indianapolis Colts in Denver on Thursday Night Football.