Ryan Mathews (24) was injured on this play against Seattle. (Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports)
San Diego Chargers running back Ryan Mathews has a sprained MCL in his right knee and could miss four to five weeks, multiple media outlets reported Monday.
Mathews suffered the right knee injury with 12:22 left in Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks. He was trying to recover a fumble after a muffed handoff exchange from quarterback Philip Rivers. Wide receiver Eddie Royal recovered the ball and appeared to hit Mathews in his knee during the play.
Mathews was attended to by trainers, taken off of the field in a cart and later had an MRI. He rushed for 31 yards on 11 carries before the injury.
Mathews played all 16 games for the first time in his NFL career in 2013, finishing with a career-best 1,255 yards.
The Chargers don’t have a bye until Week 10. The timetable likely puts him out until at least Week 7 against Kansas City on Oct. 19.
Running back Donald Brown, signed to a three-year contract in March, is expected to get the bulk of Mathews’ work in his absence.
