Ryan Mathews: Chargers Players Who Must Step Up in Running Back’s Week 1 Absence

September 8, 2012   ·   Michael Moraitis   ·   Jump to comments

It's official: San Diego Chargers running back Ryan Mathews will not be ready for the team's season opener against the Oakland Raiders on Monday, and that means his teammates must step up to fill the void.
The news came from Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego.
Mathews had an impressive 2011 season for a bad team in San Diego. While the Chargers didn't fare so well, Mathews had a breakout season, with 1,091 yards on the ground on 222 attempts, which was good enough for nearly five yards per carry.
Out of the backfield, Mathews caught 50 passes, for 455 yards. Combined, that is the type of production that is never easy to replace.
That being said, the Chargers will need some extra effort from some of their key players and even the lesser-known ones. Here are some players that must step up in Week 1 for the Chargers.
 
Philip Rivers
This goes without being said, but the Chargers quarterback must step his game up in Week 1.
Normally a productive a...

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