Chargers RB Tomlinson unable to finish game

Jan 4, 2009 - 8:18 AM SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- LaDainian Tomlinson had to leave Saturday night's 23-17 overtime playoff win over the Indianapolis Colts due to a groin injury, leaving his status in doubt for the divisional round.

Tomlinson started and gained 25 yards on five carries, including a 3-yard scoring run with 10:15 left in the second quarter that tied the game at 7-7.

As it turned out, that proved to be his last carry. Tomlinson watched the remainder of the game from the sideline as his replacement, Darren Sproles, burned the Colts for 105 yards and two touchdowns.

"From the first run, it was evident that I just didn't have the burst," Tomlinson said. "I couldn't put my foot on the ground and get through the hole the way I wanted to. I went as long as I could. After the TD run, it was at the point where I felt like I was making it worse."

Sproles said he knew at the end of the first quarter that Tomlinson would not see much more action.

Chargers coach Norv Turner said it was obvious that Tomlinson would be unable to play after receiving treatment at halftime but declined to speculate on his condition.

"I can't tell you that," Turner said. "I knew he couldn't continue to play. I know they worked on it at halftime and he wanted to (play) and came out and tried to get going on the sideline and couldn't."

Multiple media reports earlier Saturday suggested the All-Pro running back either might not play at all or would be limited by the groin injury.

The San Diego Union-Tribune, citing team sources, reported that Tomlinson has a severe groin strain and would not play if it was an early-season game.

ESPN reported that Tomlinson has a detached adductor muscle (groin), which would limit his lateral movement and ability to make cuts. The adductor muscle helps you open and close your legs.

Team sources told the newspaper that the ESPN report is an "exaggeration," saying such an injury would make walking almost impossible.

Tomlinson suffered the injury in the third quarter of last Sunday's 52-21 win over the Denver Broncos that helped the Chargers (8-8) clinch the AFC West title.

The 2006 NFL MVP, who suffered a sprained MCL in last year's playoff win over Indianapolis, had his toughness questioned during last season's AFC championship game loss to New England, when he sat out the majority of the contest while quarterback Philip Rivers played with a torn ACL.