San Diego Chargers: Ryan Mathews Likely to Miss Titans Game, but He'll be One Week Closer to Returning

By Bear Heiser
Senior Writer

It appears as if the San Diego Chargers will be without running back Ryan Mathews for another week.

Michael Gehlken of the Union-Tribune San Diego, who covers the team on a daily basis, tweeted Friday that he doesn’t believe Mathews will suit up Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.

Mathews is on his way back from a broken clavicle that was suffered in the Chargers’ preseason opener back in early August. He’s only been through a few practices, so he’s not likely anywhere ready be step in and be effective.

Curtis Brinkley and Ronnie Brown shouldered the load last week in the win over the Oakland Raiders, but they were extremely ineffective. The pair combined for just 17 yards on 16 carries. Yes, 17 yards on 15 carries. Neither back did anything to deserve more playing time than the other. So you can expect it to be another mixed bag against the Titans.

But the Chargers will likely only have to be without Mathews for one more week, though. Gehlken believes that Mathews will be ready by Week 3, which is great news for Norv Turner‘s offense.

If San Diego can’t run the ball with any effectiveness, Philip Rivers is going to have a tough time with an extra defender dropped back while only rushing four.

The only good news here is that Mathews is one week closer to a return.

Follow Bear on Twitter: @BearHeiser

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