Ryan Mathews Is a Fantasy Must-Start in Anticipated Week 11 Return

San Diego Chargers running back Ryan Mathews is set to make his return from a knee injury that kept him out seven games, and fantasy owners shouldn't wait to give him back his starting spot in Week 11.

Mathews is listed as probable for Sunday's game against the Oakland Raiders, according to the team's official injury report, but he has fully practiced all week without setbacks. He should be a fully ready to go for a Chargers backfield that could've used his return weeks ago.

It's often wise to stay away from players returning from injury until their production returns as well, but Mathews should be ready to go. There was a chance he could play in Week 9, but the Chargers held him out, and that means he got the bye week under his belt to steadily round out his rehab.

As he returns to help out rookie Branden Oliver in the backfield, San Diego Union-Tribune's Michael Gehlken sees around 15 touches as a solid prediction:

Getting 15 touches might not be enough to make for a productive fantasy outing week after week. But it will be more than enough against the Raiders.

Oakland is awful against the run, giving up 131 yards rushing per game—27th in the league. The Raiders have allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing running backs, per Sporting News' Matt Lutovsky.

Of course, San Diego's rushing attack has been hapless, ranking 30th in the league with just 736 rushing yards. The Chargers have all of three rushing touchdowns on the year.

Gregory Bull/Associated Press

But those numbers came primarily without Mathews and Danny Woodhead. The return of the speedy Mathews will open up running lanes that haven't been there, and that will be helped even more by a woeful Raiders defense.

Mathews is no stranger to big days against the Raiders, going for 119 total yards and a touchdown on 28 touches against Oakland in December 2013.

The Chargers will undoubtedly exercise caution in Mathews' return, but they will be intent on giving him some valuable early run. He'll impress in the early goings, and that will set up a couple of opportunities near the goal line.

He won't explode for a massive day, but no Chargers running back will in this offense. What Mathews will do, however, is return to the production that has made him a viable fantasy starter over the last few years.