San Diego Chargers: Ryan Mathews Breaks Clavicle, Again

Ryan Mathews missed the first two games of the 2012 San Diego Chargers season with a broken left clavicle. He'll miss the final two games of the season with a broken right clavicle. He broke it when being tackled in today's loss to the Carolina Panthers.

I've argued in the past that Ryan Mathews' injury issues were focused on a little too much. He missed just two games last year and had 272 total touches in 2011. In 2012, he'll play in just 12 games and will finish with 180 touches for the season. Part of that is on Norv, but just as much is on Mathews (who hasn't performed well with the limited opportunities he's been given in 2012).

There has been some discussion among the local media, even some going on during the game today, that replacing Ryan Mathews should be a priority heading into the offseason. Mathews is still under contract and getting paid like a first rounder, but the team's new Head Coach (and possible new General Manager) will have to consider his options and decide how he wants to proceed with the running back situation.

With Ronnie Brown missing today's game with an injury, Jackie Battle will probably end up being the Chargers' "starting running back" for these final two games against the Jets and Raiders.