San Diego Chargers RB Ryan Mathews still a no-contact, likely to miss season opener – NFL News
San Diego Chargers running back Ryan Mathews finally returned to practice field on Monday, September 03, 2012, after remaining out of the field for more than three weeks due to an injury.
Mathews was a not cleared for contact during the practice session in which he did some individual training drills that included light jogging as well as a bit of pass catching. Mathews was happy to get back on the field. He said:
"Everything is good, I have full motion in my arm and everything. I have no pain or anything, so it's good."
It was Mathews’ first practice since he injured his clavicle during a preseason game against Green Bay Packers on August 09.
Mathews then went through a surgery after which the team gave him a target of four to six weeks to get back to full fitness.
Considering the fact that Mathews is still a no-contact with only a few days left in their season opener, it looks that he will most likely miss the game.
Chargers will play their first game of the season against Oakland Raiders on Monday, September 10.
Ryan has shown remarkable progress in his road to recovery and has started practice ahead of schedule. He still believes that he can make into the starting line-up come Monday. Mathews said:
"I'm very hopeful. I really am. I still got a whole week left to go, so we'll see how everything goes. . . You just got to be confident about it. I think if you're sulking around, just basically feeling sorry for yourself, everything takes longer. You've
got to have that mindset that you're going to get back as soon as possible."
Mathews managed to play 14 games last season. If Mathews fail to get himself fit before the game, Chargers will likely place veteran Ronnie Brown as the starter.
Apart from Brown, Chargers also have the option to play running back Curtis Brinkley, Jackie Battle and LeRon McClain.
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