Ryan Mathews Injury: Updates on Chargers Star's Ankle and Return

Ryan Mathews missed practice on Wednesday and was out vs. Denver in Week 15. He did not play Saturday vs. the 49ers and is out for Week 17.

Continue for updates.

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Mathews Listed as Inactive

Sunday, Dec. 28

BJ Kissel of KCChiefs.com listed the Chargers' official inactive list, which includes running back Ryan Mathews.

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Mathews Out for Week 17

Friday, Dec. 26

Ricky Henne of Chargers.com has the latest on Mathews:

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Mathews Misses Tuesday Practice

Tuesday, Dec. 23

Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego has an update on Mathews' status from practice on Tuesday:

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Mathews Has Chance to Play Week 17

Monday, Dec. 22

Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com reported some good news for Mathews and the Chargers heading into Week 17:

"

McCoy said running back Ryan Mathews and receiver Keenan Allen are possibilities to return to practice and ultimately to the field on game day.

Mathews missed the past two games with a severe ankle sprain and has not practiced over the period. Allen missed last week’s game against the San Francisco 49ers with a broken collarbone and an ankle injury.

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Mathews Out vs. 49ers

Friday, Dec. 19 

Ricky Henne of Chargers.com has the latest on Mathews:

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Mathews Did Not Practice

Tuesday, Dec. 16

Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego provided an update on Mathews' status for Week 16:

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Mathews Out For Week 15

Sunday, Dec. 14

Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego confirmed that Ryan Mathews is out for Week 15.

Gehlken later described what he was seeing from Mathews prior to the game:

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Mathews Listed as Questionable

Friday, Dec. 12

The Chargers updated Mathews' status on Friday:

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Mathews Dealing With Ankle Injury

Wednesday, Dec. 10

The Chargers reported Mathews was held out of practice on Wednesday:

According to Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego, head coach Mike McCoy says he's dealing with an ankle injury:

Mathews carried the ball just two times in the second half of Sunday's matchup with the New England Patriots. With injuries plaguing him throughout the year, he has appeared in only six games this season.

Mathews' talent has never really been in doubt. Entering the season, he had 3,731 yards on 849 carries, which averages out to about 4.4 yards a carry. That mark isn't otherworldly, but it's the sign of a productive, consistent running back.

The problem with the 27-year-old is that he's rarely stayed on the field for long stretches without some malady slowing him down. He's played a full 16-game season just once in his five-year career.

By now, Mathews getting injured is far from a surprise. The Chargers have added enough depth at running back that his absence shouldn't cause too big of a problem.

Branden Oliver's cooled off from his hot stretch in Weeks 5 and 6, but he should be enough to keep San Diego in the AFC playoff hunt.

The Chargers take on the Denver Broncos this Sunday.