No change in status of Chargers RB Tomlinson

Jan 5, 2009 - 5:04 AM SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- There was no change in the status of San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson on Sunday, one day after he had to leave Saturday night's 23-17 overtime playoff win over the Indianapolis Colts due to a groin injury.

"The injury that he has is not any worse. I think they said he was pretty sore around that area from probably compensating for the injury," Chargers coach Norv Turner said. "This will be a thing we update him on Wednesday when we get going and we'll see where we are throughout the week.

"Again, I don't think it's any worse, but it isn't any better."

San Diego, a winner of five games in a row, plays at Pittsburgh next Sunday in the division playoff round.

Tomlinson started against the Colts and gained 25 yards on five carries, including a 3-yard scoring run with 10:15 left in the second quarter.

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.

Sproles also returned four kicks and three punts while amassing 328 all-purpose yards - the third-highest total in playoff history.

"We've got him packed in ice back in the training room now," Turner joked. "We'll let him out on Friday. Yeah there's a concern. He was absolutely exhausted."

Tomlinson said the injury bothered him from the start and he knew he couldn't continue to be effective.

"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."

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.

However, the team is denying the injury is that serious.

"He has a strained groin. That's what our medical report is," Turner said.

Turner admitted it's a huge question mark whether Tomlinson will be available to play against the Steelers.

"To be honest with you, I don't know. That sounds like the question I was asking about two hours ago," Turner said. "How much better can he get? Is time a factor? If he didn't play this week, would it be better if we were fortunate enough to win, would it be better in two weeks where you give him a realistic chance to be at his best?"

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.

Turner bristled at the mention of such talk.

"Anyone that questions his mental toughness, his physical toughness or his competitiveness from a year ago ... you don't do what he's done through his career ... he's one of the great competitors I've been around," Turner said.

"We've got to make the right decision and I think LT has to/wants to make the right decision, too. So that's why we'll evaluate as the week goes on."