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Ryan Mathews to miss about a month

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An MCL sprain can sideline a player anywhere from a minimal amount to eight weeks.

For Ryan Mathews, the timetable appears to fall somewhere in between.

A recent MRI has confirmed a sprained MCL for the Chargers running back, who is expected to miss four to five weeks, according to the NFL Network. Mathews was carted off the field Sunday with a right knee injury that came during the fourth quarter of a 30-21 win over Seattle.

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Coach Mike McCoy avoided specifics Monday when discussing when Mathews can return.

“He’ll be back out there as soon as he can,” McCoy said. “In all fairness to him and the training staff, everyone recovers differently. I’m not a doctor by any means. ... I don’t want to put a timetable on it. It’s unfortunate, but it’s part of the game.”

The Chargers cannot replace Mathews’ physicality and toughness.

That said, they made an investment this offseason, effectively preparing themselves for this scenario.

Running back Donald Brown, signed to a three-year, $10.5 million contract in March, is expected to absorb the bulk of Mathews’ work, potentially leading the team in touches in his absence. Danny Woodhead will remain in a role fairly similar to the one he currently occupies. He’s led the backfield in snaps both games.

Brown has returned kickoffs this year.

Given his expanded role on offense, the Chargers likely will entertain the possibility of Branden Oliver, an undrafted rookie running back, handling the job for the time being. Oliver has been inactive on the 46-man game day roster as the team’s No. 4 back. He returned kickoffs during the preseason.

In two games, Mathews has 23 carries for 71 yards and a touchdown, adding four catches for 46 yards. The Chargers have introduced an offensive wrinkle this year in which Mathews lines up at fullback with Brown at tailback. The formation produced a 20-yard Mathews touchdown run in Week 1 and a 10-yard Mathews catch on third-and-1 Sunday.

If not for the injury, he likely would’ve had a busy fourth quarter.

San Diego entered it with an advantage in time of possession of 31:08-13:52, and offensive coordinator Frank Reich seemed ready to go ground and pound. Mathews carried the ball on four of the first five plays. He was injured on the fifth.

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