Chargers’ RB Ryan Mathews wearing out welcome in San Diego

The San Diego Chargers are growing increasingly impatient with the turbulent history surrounding running back Ryan Mathews, according to Chargers’ beat writer Michael Gehlken of the U-T San Diego. 

Mathews broke both clavicles in 2012 and has had two surgeries over the course of one NFL season. The knock on him coming out of Fresno State was that he was injury prone, and several missed games and seasons later, it appears those assessments were correct. 

But Mathews is prepared to fight for his job and will work to get back in the good graces of whatever coaching staff comes aboard in the wake of head coach Norv Turner and general manager A.J. Smith’s firing following a disappointing season. They were the ones responsible for moving up 16 spots in the draft to pick him, and the man who was tabbed to be the heir apparent to legend LaDainian Tomlinson understands the stakes. 

“It’s time for me to show them why they bumped up all the spots they did to draft me,” the former No. 12 overall pick said. “I’ve shown greatness at times, and I’ve shown I can be the worst player at times. You’ve got to be consistent, and that’s what I plan to do, Just be a little more consistent player and just be the guy they knew when they drafted.”

As he prepares for his fourth season, none of which have included a full 16 games, Mathews has a lot to prove to everyone who thought he could handle a full workload out of the backfield.