L.T. CONFIRMS GROIN TEAR, WHICH COULD BE PROOF OF RIFT WITH TEAM

On Saturday, there were conflicting reports regarding the extent of Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson’s groin injury. Both Chris Mortensen of ESPN and Adam Schefter of NFLN reported that L.T. has a detached adductor tendon in his groin. But coach Norv Turner told NBC’s Andrea Kremer that he was as “surprised as anyone” by the reports of a detached adductor tendon. Turner told Kremer that, if the reports of a tear were true, Tomlinson wouldn’t have been able to walk. Multiple media sources have since pointed out to us a couple of intriguing points, which frankly could point to an eventual divorce between the Chargers and Tomlinson. First, it’s widely believed that agent Tom Condon leaked to Mort and Schefter the notion of a detached adductor tendon, so that Tomlinson wouldn’t be the target of the same criticism he faced last year, when he missed most of the AFC title game due to an MCL sprain -- even as quarterback Philip Rivers played with a torn ACL. Condon’s apparent goal was to create for L.T. a no-lose situation in which, if he could play extensively and effectively, he’d be a hero. In contrast, if Tomlinson was limited (as he was, carrying the ball only five times), he would not be subject to villification. (Though we’ve knocked Condon in the past, he clearly did the right and smart thing in this case for his client’s interests.) Turner’s decision to opt for the Sgt. Schulz routine, understating the extent of the injury and overstating the limitations that the detached tendon would create, would have contributed to the perception that L.T. was being soft, but for Condon’s efforts to get the accurate information out there. Second, don’t forget that the Chargers fueled the perception that Tomlinson wasn’t willing to play through pain by announcing in the press box during the AFC championship that Tomlinson “can return.” So, four days after the overtime win in which Tomlinson contributed a touchdown, the 2006 NFL MVP has confirmed that, indeed, he has a groin tear. And while Turner said after Saturday night’s game that the injury has gotten no worse, Tomlinson characterizes himself as “doubtful” for Sunday’s game against the Steelers. As pointed out in our most recent item for SportingNews.com, that actually might be a good thing for the Chargers, given that the Steelers generally have contained L.T. in his four career games against Pittsburgh. The shifty, elusive Darren Sproles could be a tougher target for the Steelers linebackers to corral (or, as the case may be, carouse). The broader question that the Chargers will face in the offseason is whether to make Darren Sproles the latest budding superstar to walk away without compensation. With quarterback Drew Brees named the AP offensive player of the year three seasons after leaving and running back Michael Turner drawing MVP votes in his first year out of San Diego after finishing second only to Adrian Peterson in rushing yards, the looming choice between Sproles and Tomlinson could make L.T. the second former MVP to be out of a job barely two years after winning the award.