Supporting cast thrives in Tomlinson's absence

Jan 4, 2009 - 5:13 PM By Jim McNeal PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- As LaDainian Tomlinson stood on the sidelines, helmet off, watching for most of Saturday night's game, it had to be a little bit of deja vu for San Diego Chargers fans after last year's AFC Championship game loss to the New England Patriots.

But, thanks to Darren Sproles and late-season waiver-wire pickup Michael Bennett, this up-and down-season for the Chargers continues on the upswing following a 23-17 overtime win over the Indianapolis Colts.

Next stop for San Diego is a visit to either Pittsburgh or Nashville.

"We know what LT means to this team and he gave us some good runs early," Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers said. "But, (we) were ready for Darren and Michael to come in and pick up the slack."

After Tomlinson scored the Chargers' first touchdown in the second quarter to tie the game at 7-7, he did not return, putting the load on Sproles and Bennett.

Fortunately for San Diego, they were up to the task - particularly Sproles.

Bennett, who was active for the Chargers for the first time this season, rushed for 24 yards and caught one pass, but it was Sproles who rebounded from a fumble into the end zone to scoring the game-winning touchdown in overtime.

"Right after that fumble I had, that was still kind of on my mind," Sproles said. "I wanted that touchdown bad to make up for that fumble."

"Darren Sproles fumbles the ball on the 2 and when that happened, there wasn't any doubt in my mind that he was going to make a big play that was going to affect this game," San Diego coach Norv Turner said. "(Sproles) is one of the strongest guys on our team and as physical a player as we have. He is just short but he makes up for it with a great heart."

Sproles rushed for 105 yards and two touchdowns and caught five passes for 45 yards. He also returned punts and kickoffs, including a 26-yard punt return that set up Nate Kaeding's tying field goal in the closing seconds of regulation.

The 5-6 speedster ended the night with 328 all-purpose yards, the third-highest total in NFL playoff history.

"Sproles is a tough guy," Indianapolis coach Tony Dungy said. "We missed him a few times in the open field, he makes things happen."

Tomlinson, who sat out the title game last season with a knee injury, would not comment on his status for next week, calling it day-to-day. But, he did admit he was concerned about his short-term health.

"I don't know what's ahead of me in the near future and it's going to be something I have to wait and see," he said. "(But) you have to have trust in the guys you play with. You have to have confidence in Sproles and Bennett that they can do the job and they did."