As Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson figuratively limps through what could be his final NFL season, he could be literally limping, too.
Tomlinson, hobbled earlier this year with a sprained ankle, missed practice Wednesday with a hip injury.
The development comes as a time when coach Norv Turner is expressing a desire to pump up the running attack, which has languished in 2009.
Currently, the Chargers are last in the league, averaging only 69.6 rushing yards per game.
“We need more carries,” Turner said Wednesday. “To continue to get better as a total team, no question we need more.”
Five other Chargers missed practice on Wednesday, including tight end Antonio Gates (foot), defensive lineman Travis Johnson (groin), defensive tackle Ogemdi Nwagbuo (ankle), linebacker Shaun Phillips (ankle), and linebacker Jyles Tucker (ankle).
Center Nick Hardwick, who sprained his ankle way back in Week One, participated on a limited basis. He has been practicing at times over the past few weeks, but Hardwick has yet to return to practice.
Linebackers Shawne Merriman fully participated on Wednesday, despite a foot injury.
The Chargers host the Eagles on Sunday. PFT’s Pick for the game (hello, cross promotion) is right here.
You know what, I can see this immediately being a situation for a certain #27. As a Chiefs fanatic, I have this to say.
You can have him.
And…..SWEEEEEEET! The cancer pill hath fallen on a rival, and the day is good.
He was good 2 years ago…..bet they are kickin’ themselves for not letting him walk & keeping Turner…..This is why the Chargers are never gonna make it to the show…..
SO WHAT!? Brett Favre has one too. Seems like L.T. has had some sort of injury ever since he couldnt come through on his “Im better than Adrian Peterson statement” Sure L.T., its the injuries that are preventing you from being better the Adrian…sure.
I know he’s not the biggest guy on the field, but didn’t the Chargers just give big money to Sproles? I’m pretty sure it wasn’t for him to be a third down back and return kicks.
Get Sproles on the field, all the time…….. he’s like Reggie Bush – except good.
amazing…this team got soooooo old soooooo fast. i guess that is what steroids do(merriman,castillo)
this team dropped off so quickly in talent, it is just unbelievable. Merriman and LDT(HE IS NOT LT) faded quicker than any stars i have ever seen.
Before everyone jumps in with their LT hate, please read the following from the Chargers beat writer – someone who’s a lot closer to the Chargers than this gossip columnist:
When the team reported back to the practice field today, some of the biggest names were missing, though none are said to be injured enough to miss Sunday’s home game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Among the non-participants were running back LaDainian Tomlinson with a bruised hip, tight end Antonio Gates (foot), linebackers Shaun Phillips (ankle) and Jyles Tucker (ankle) and nose tackles Travis Johnson (groin) and Ogemdi Nwagbuo (ankle), all said by Chargers officials to be “resting” their various aches and pains.
See that word RESTING? Just a mid-season chillax, that’s all. Florio is a douche.
Is he still playing?
Just checked the NFL site. Jamal Lewis and Lawrence Maroney have more yards than LT.
Does he play special teams?
i guess he is not the best rb in the league any more? idiot.
i agree with kiss bills rings they probably are kicking themselves. idiots as well.
THIS GUY NEEDS TO RETIRE!!!!
THIS GUY NEEDS TO RETIRE!!!!
GEE there’s a surprise, can’t stay healthy!!! Hang ‘em up already!!!
@Contra
I hope you’re being sarcastic in comparing Favre’s hip injury to one of a running back. I’m not a Chargers fan and I thought it was at best a bold statement to say he is better than AP (which in his day, he was) but I wouldn’t laugh too much at L.T. because the way the Vikings force fed A.P. before Favre, and the way they will when Favre retires, once and for all, A.P. probably won’t have much tread on his tires and with the hits he seeks out/takes, it’s pretty likely that he will burn out much in the same way L.T. has appeared to.
Lawrence Taylor has a hip injury?
Perhaps from when he was running from police last week?
where are all the smart ass comments in relation to LT’s mediocre(at best) play, and a new injury every other month?
and you claim brett tote’s a laundry list…
…oh, you meant Ladyanian.
Yeah, thanks for the memories LdyT, but its time to hang em up. We’ll never forget your temper tantrum at mid-field after losing to the Patriots in 2006, your humbly decreeing that you’re a “very classy individual”, and you hiding behind your tinted shield on the sidelines of the ’07 AFC Championship game, quitting on your teammates and showing them no support.
Some legacy.
I thnk everyone forgets L.T had 1500 total yards and 12 TD’s last season.
If this guy had a O-line and a real fullback, he would still be considered a top 10 RB, maybe higher.
“I thnk everyone forgets L.T had 1500 total yards and 12 TD’s last season.
If this guy had a O-line and a real fullback, he would still be considered a top 10 RB, maybe higher. ”
^^^^^^^
Perhaps.
If Larry Johnson still had Willie Roaf and Tony Richardson to run behind, I’m sure he woulda reached that 2000 yard mark he was so sure he was going to get to.
L.T. (yes, LT, because it’s his initials and is MUCH shorter than saying LaDanian Tomlinson) has a few good years left. He has shown good explosion but NO ONE can run behind that god awful run blocking line of the Chargers. They can not hold the point of attack or edges. Gates is just blocking horribly and there’s been a rash of injuries since day 1 against the Raiders. They’ve been looking better and better but not in the run game.
Not even Sproles can run behind that line. He’s averaging a little over 2 ypc this year. It’s not a coincidence that LT and Sproles are sucking it up when running the ball. And the ONLY reason why Sproles is being recognized as a good back is because of his return ability because he’s certainly not lighting it up at RB.
Hudson Hauck in 2010-11
Dear LT,
I’m so glad I dumped you as my keeper in my fantasy football league that I drafted you as a rookie in. Your untimely injuries during my playoffs probably cost me 2 championships in that span. Don’t worry, you can get the last laugh….the guy I dumped you for as my new keeper: Matt Forte. Gross. I know. Luckily I also drafted Steven Jackson who will most likely be my keeper next year. Enjoy your retirement next year!
Sincerely,
Darren Sproles
He is definitely declining but his line is as much a problem as is his declining skills. He’s still a better runner than Sproles. Not faster but better. Unfortunately for LT his line wont be improving much this season so hes prolly done as a Charger.
As for his comments about Peterson, I understand as a competitor you never wanna admit there is someone better than you out there. But the reality is even the greats have to hang em up when they dont wanna.
It will happen to Peterson also. He’s fortunate he’s got such a great OL to create holes for him. But eventually Jim Brown will be telling somebody else they’re the greatest runner he’s ever seen and Peterson will have to defend his declining skills.
You think he’d have those kind of numbers if he played for KC or Cleveland? Yeah, right.
NOt a chance……He doesnt hit the holes like he used to…DO you ever watch him move his feet all around…He tries to emulate what he used to but his timing is off and he cant do it any longer…
I find it sad really, then to try to say he can keep up with the likes of Adrian Peterson…..
POOR GUY
LT has only missed three games in his entire career. That is quite a feat in itself, but then you throw in his NFL record 31 TD’s in a season and it is quite apparent that all haters on this board are nothing more and are to be laughed at for their apparent lack of ability to realize a bona-fide HOF talent when they’ve seen one.
Haywood: LT is a very classy individual. Just ask me. His extensive charity work in SD and in Texas goes way beyond the call of what is expected of today’s pro athlete. In fact, I’d be willing to bet LT does more for his community in one week than you do all year. How’s that for perspective!?!
As soon as I heard Lorenzo Neal was no longer a deadbolt, I knew LT’s yards, TD’s and his body would take a beating. His best chance of winning the big one would have to be in another uniform like the one all the former chargers go to. The patriots. Yup. The team that stepped on the charger logo that made him cry will be the team he will have his best chance to win a superbowl.
shouldn’t there be some wiseass comment from florio about LT having lupus, polio, scarlet fever, and dysentery?
Turner made same comment about getting the running game going last year and likely the year before that. He is a pass first poor play calling coach.
Just like his brother Ron that is rushing Forte 12 times a game, bad o-line or not, that is low.
R.I.P. LT, R.I.P.
this is the built in excuse for why this guy will not be able to play in the important games for this team. i personally think that LT has been a great rb in the league, when it does not matter. he beats the hell out of the chiefs in week 4 but when the big games comes around he is nowhere to be found. look at the track record. year after year he cant play when they need him the most.
If there was ever a running back I thought for sure would beat the record, it was LT… But damn, he fell so far so fast it’s unreal. He was fast had size, wiggle, power, and hands… I thought he was the most complete running back of all time… I figured at the very least he’d be the next RB to join Sanders and Martin w/ 10 plus… He just showed no signs of slowing down till now. Even last year he was nagged by injuries, but still pulled out a great season… I mean, can u even fathom a chargers team ranked 32nd in rushing at the mid season point?? It’s sad… I hope I’m wrong, and he shocks the world, but I don’t think so… The rest of the old breed, LJ is a bum… Has power, runs way too upright, won’t produce without a line… N is spent after herm Edwards had his way with him… N ol Westbrook could never stay healthy, had 2 really good years, was the best dual threat since Marshall faulk every year, just couldn’t stay on the field, now I think he’s toast too.. Birds should just make him a damned WR… He could extend his career… Am I high?? Does anyone else think I’m right here??