Mike Tolbert Fantasy News

Turner to return to coach Chargers
Monday, December 27, 2010, 10:16pm

What Dean Spanos can do that many of his football team’s fans can’t do, is remember. It doesn’t take much for the Chargers president to recall the not-so-long-ago, when he was boss of the worst team in the NFL, when even he admits his organization lacked organization.

It was a loser.

So, when Spanos, who has been in charge of the franchise since father Alex handed him the wheel in 1994, says head coach Norv Turner and General Manager A.J. Smith will return in 2011, he almost seems incredulous, amazed that he has to be asked.

Public opinion aside, it’s his team to run. Turner and Smith will return. This is not an election ticket. One vote matters.

Tolbert has sprained neck, out for week 17
Monday, December 27, 2010, 9:03am

As dejected and distracted as they were after their season was ended, teammates expressed concern following Sunday’s 34-20 loss for running back Mike Tolbert.

Some were still unaware that Tolbert was walking around, having been diagnosed with a sprained neck and bruised shoulder following a scary first-quarter collision that saw him carted off the field with his head immobilized.

“I wanted to (get up), but they were being cautious,” Tolbert said after the game, his left arm in a sling, “Whenever you get in the head and the neck area, the shoulders, stuff like that, it’s better to be safe than sorry.”

Tolbert passes tests, heads home with team
Sunday, December 26, 2010, 9:32pm

San Diego Chargers running back Mike Tolbert sprained his neck and shoulder on a scary hit against the Cincinnati Bengals, but is expected to fully recover.

Tolbert put his head down and ran into the chest of safety Reggie Nelson during the first quarter of a 34-20 loss on Sunday. Tolbert fumbled and stayed face-down on the field, motionless for several minutes.

Doctors carefully rolled him onto a backboard, strapped him down and wheeled him off the field. He raised his right forearm and gave a thumbs-up sign to the applauding crowd.

Teammates said Tolbert was walking around the locker room after the game.

"He's doing fine," coach Norv Turner said. "He has a sprained shoulder and neck. He's got all the feeling back in his hands. He'll be all right."

Friday, December 17, 2010, 9:36pm

The Chargers have begun the work to commit to a two-back system in the foreseeable future.

The team and running back Mike Tolbert have had talks about a long-term deal, and it is not out of the question one could be agreed to before the end of the league year.

According to people close to the situation, the Chargers have not made an offer. And Tolbert is just one of a handful of players with which the team has had preliminary talks.

Friday, December 3, 2010, 6:47pm

Chargers Norv Turner says he's optimistic TE Antonio Gates, RB Mike Tolbert and WR Malcom Floyd will play vs. OAK and play significant number of snaps.

Chargers headed for split backfield?
Thursday, December 2, 2010, 4:21pm

Ryan Mathews appears to be on the verge of returning, and

Mike Tolbert isn’t going anywhere.

“If Tolbert is healthy and going, he’s going to get the ball,” head coach Norv Turner said. “But Ryan has got to be able to go in too.”

Tolbert missed practice yesterday in what he called a “precautionary” move due to the right hand he bruised Sunday at Indianapolis. Despite the hand being wrapped, Tolbert said he was “feeling good” and added, “I’m going to play.”

As the Chargers enter what appears to be a crucial stretch of games, it appears the plan will be for Tolbert and Mathews to split time in some fashion.

Mathews, who had not practiced since prior to the Chargers’ Nov. 8 game at Houston, wherein he aggravated his high ankle sprain, worked all of Wednesday’s practice and appears on track to return Sunday against the Oakland Raiders.

“It is big getting him back out there,” Turner said. “… It certainly will help give him a chance to play in the game.”

Saturday, November 27, 2010, 1:04pm

If ever a game plan called for a busy workload for St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson, it would seem to be Sunday's contest at Denver. Only the lowly Buffalo Bills have yielded more yards on the ground than the Broncos.

Denver has been particularly vulnerable recently: In three of its last four games, it's been gashed by a 100-plus-yard rusher. On Monday night, San Diego journeyman Mike Tolbert rambled for a career-high 111 yards in a 35-14 Chargers victory that dropped the Broncos to 3-7.

If that weren't reason enough, there also is this: Jackson is itching for action after getting just 11 carries in last Sunday's 34-17 loss to Atlanta.

"I shouldn't feel this fresh," Jackson said. "I think over the years, we've seen that I play better as the game goes on."

Since taking over for Marshall Faulk in 2005 as the club's marquee back, Jackson has had 11 or fewer carries in a game only five times. The Rams dropped all five, by a combined score of 134-59.

Ryan Mathews likely out for Monday
Friday, November 19, 2010, 9:11pm

The Chargers are expecting to play the Denver Broncos without tailback Ryan Mathews.

“I doubt a guy can improve enough in two days to be healthy enough to play on a Monday night,” head coach Norv Turner said. “… If he improves dramatically I would consider playing him.”