SAN DIEGO (AP) — Chargers coach Norv Turner says he’s not overly concerned that rookie running back Ryan Mathews has two fumbles in his first two NFL games.
The turnovers have cost the Chargers 10 points — a touchdown in a 21-14 loss at Kansas City in the opener and a field goal on Sunday in a 38-13 home-opening win against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Mathews has yet to score a touchdown.
Turner says defenses try to strip the ball from young players, and that Mathews needs to continue to work on protecting the ball.
Mathews sprained his right ankle in the second quarter and sat out the rest of the game. Mathews wanted to return, but Turner kept him out as a precaution. Turner says Mathews is sore. The Chargers play at Seattle on Sunday.
