San Diego Chargers starter Ryan Mathews suffered a medial collateral ligament (MCL) sprain and will miss the next couple games, coach Mike McCoy announced Monday.
The running back was carted off the field with a knee injury in the fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday and did not return for rest of the game.
“It’s unfortunate, but it’s part of the game,” McCoy said. “Knowing the way he works and the way he’ll rehab, he’ll be back out there as soon as he’s ready.”
McCoy did not give a timeline for Mathews’ return, saying each player recovers differently.
“I’m not a doctor by any means,” he said. “I can’t look at an x-ray or picture and say, ‘Oh well it will be this long.’ Everyone recovers different. We’ve had players who were supposed to be done for the season, and the next thing you know they come out there Monday or Wednesday and they’re practicing with something torn or broken.”
Meanwhile the team will continue and plug away, McCoy said.
With Mathews out of commission, Danny Woodhad and Donald Brown are expected to see more playing time. Through two games, Woodhead carried the ball 14 times for 37 yards with five catches for 34 yards. Brown has 19 yards on nine carries and three catches for 10 yards.