Chargers RB Tomlinson cautious about injury

Jan 6, 2009 - 12:36 AM SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- San Diego Chargers star running back LaDainian Tomlinson isn't sure if a week's worth of treatment and rest will be the cure for what ails him.

Tomlinson is nursing a groin injury as fourth-seeded Chargers travel to Pittsburgh to face the second-seeded Steelers in an AFC divisional round playoff game on Sunday.

"I don't know. It's tough," Tomlinson said on Monday. "This is a tough injury. I would probably venture to say it's probably the toughest of my career. We'll see what happens."

Tomlinson left Saturday night's 23-17 overtime playoff win over the Indianapolis Colts due to the injury.

The 29-year-old 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.

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

As for the exact injury itself, Tomlinson isn't saying.

"I won't because it is a medical issue and different doctors have their opinions," he said. "I'll leave it at that."