Mike

Tolbert

McClain injured the foot in practice earlier this week, and Thursday’s MRI results apparently didn’t come back looking great. Ricky Brown is next on the depth chart at middle linebacker. McClain has been a disappointment in IDP leagues this season, barely topped five tackles per game. His absence could still be a nice plus for Mike Tolbert’s matchup.

He’ll be good to go against New England. Tolbert received 21 touches in Week 1, which could easily finish as his season high in a rotation with Ryan Mathews. Tolbert is still just a low-end RB2/flex option, not some breakout stud.

Tolbert had additional tests on Monday and then was declared healthy by doctors. Owners in touchdown-heavy leagues shouldn’t have any concerns about getting the wrecking ball in starting lineups. Just realize that last week’s outburst was above the fantasy ceiling, as Tolbert shares reps with Ryan Mathews.

NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora confirms that Tolbert is “fully expected to play” in Week 2 against the Patriots. Tolbert continues to operate as San Diego’s primary third-down and red-zone back, killing Ryan Mathews’ fantasy value. Tolbert will remain a dicey option on his own. He won’t score three times inside the opposing red every week, and only gets 12-15 touches a game. We’d advise against chasing Tolbert’s big Week 1 at New England.

Tolbert’s fourth-quarter fumble killed any chance the rallying Chargers had at a comeback win over the Patriots. It’s a concern, especially as the highly-talented Ryan Mathews appears to be turning a corner. “I let the team down and it hurts,” Tolbert said after Sunday’s loss.

He added eight catches for 73 yards. The bruising 243-pound runner also committed a critical fourth-quarter turnover, losing a fumble as he inexplicably danced around a hole. Through his first two games, he is averaging a horrendous 2.1 yards on 21 carries. Ryan Mathews went for 64 yards on just 12 carries this afternoon, out-producing Tolbert on the ground for the second straight weekend. If Tolbert turns in a third straight shaky effort in Week 3, he could lose his title as the Bolts’ most productive fantasy back.

He severely out-played Mike Tolbert, who could take the ball just 10 yards on nine carries while catching eight passes for 73 yards. Mathews has gone for 244 yards from scrimmage through San Diego’s first two games, compared to 176 for Tolbert. The tide may be turning in the Chargers backfield.

We saw a changing of the guard today, and it didn’t appear to have anything to do with Tolbert’s toe injury. Ryan Mathews was used as the goal-line and third-down back, leaving Tolbert as a strict backup. The Chargers have likely seen how impressively talented Mathews is and are ready to give the second-year back a bigger role. Tolbert will now be an extremely risky flex option in fantasy as he’s unlikely to top 8-10 touches per game.

Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune is confident that Mathews will play, but the missed practice time could impact his snap-count. It’s poor timing with Mathews’ role expanding in Week 3. The workload could return to a pure committee attack with Mike Tolbert against the Dolphins.

Not a great sign, but Mathews vows to return to a “full-speed” practice on Friday. Turner’s initial comments after last week’s game suggested that Mathews’ increased role against the Chiefs was due in large part to Michael Tolbert missing practices. If that logic holds, Mathews could be on the short end of the stick this week. He’s a high-risk, high-reward fantasy play.