ESPN's John Clayton reported during NFL Countdown that Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson and Antonio Gates will be game-time decisions for their Wild Card game against the Indianapolis Colts tonight. Clayton said he thinks that LT will play, but this information puts into doubt about how effective he will be. ESPN's Ed Werder reported that San Diego coach Norv Turner said that LT won't play if he can't be effective.Remember that in last year's AFC Championship game, LT got a lot of heat for not fighting through a bum knee. Tomlinson got only two carries despite everyone believing that he was good to go. Yet CBS cameras kept panning over to him with his helmet on, sitting on the Chargers bench. It also looked bad when Philip Rivers fought through a worse injury in the very same game.
These Chargers don't have the luxury of Michael Turner as LT's backup (side note: how amazing is it that they had both these guys?). Darren Sproles is a different kind of back who gained just 330 yards rushing this year. And just like their last playoff game in New England, the Chargers will be facing a team with the NFL's longest current winning streak, who also has the MVP at quarterback.
(Via PFT)
