SAN DIEGO — Running back Ryan Mathews is targeting the Chargers’ Sept. 10 season opener against the Oakland Raiders for his return from a broken collarbone suffered in San Diego’s first preseason game.
Mathews was injured on his first carry of the preseason in the first quarter of the Chargers’ game against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night. He had surgery Friday and the Chargers said he would miss four to six weeks. Mathews led the Chargers with 1,091 yards rushing and a 4.9-yard average last season, earning him a trip to the Pro Bowl.
Colts LB Angerer sidelined six weeks
INDIANAPOLIS — Colts linebacker Pat Angerer could miss six weeks after fracturing a foot during the preseason opener.
Coach Chuck Pagano did not say which foot was injured in Sunday’s game, but Angerer will need surgery. He led the Colts in tackles last year with 146.
Backup linebacker Scott Lutrus is not as fortunate. He will have season-ending surgery after being diagnosed Sunday with a sprained knee. Starting guard Mike McGlynn also will be out indefinitely with a high ankle sprain, and backup running backs Mewelde Moore and Delone Carter have injured ribs that could keep them out of action, too.
Around the league
PACKERS: Desmond Bishop will need surgery on his right hamstring, and coach Mike McCarthy said the linebacker’s season is in jeopardy. Bishop hurt his hamstring and sprained his knee in the first quarter of Green Bay’s preseason loss at San Diego on Thursday. Bishop arguably was the Packers’ best defensive player last season. Despite missing three games with a calf strain, he led the Packers with 142 tackles (including a team-best 109 unassisted) and registered five sacks, good for second-most on the team (to Clay Matthews’ six).
BRONCOS: Second-year safety Quinton Carter said that the right hamstring he popped at Denver’s indoor practice bubble last month led doctors to discover he needed a left knee operation. Carter made his first appearance at training camp since being hurt July 27 and said he hopes to play in the Broncos’ third preseason game, against San Francisco on Aug. 26.
SAINTS: Running back Darren Sproles will not play in the next preseason game against Jacksonville on Friday night because of knee soreness. Sproles was one of several New Orleans players who sat out Monday’s practice, the first since the Saints played at New England last Thursday night.
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