Monday, Jan. 05, 2009

Bolts mum on LT

San Diego -- With LaDainian Tomlinson perhaps hurt worse than the team is letting on and Darren Sproles sore from all the running he did in a thrilling wild-card win, the San Diego Chargers turned their thoughts toward the weather and the Pittsburgh Steelers' defense.

The Chargers finally jumped above .500 and earned a rematch against the Steelers by outlasting Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts 23-17 in overtime Saturday night.

They anticipate a cold, hard-hitting divisional-round game Sunday at Pittsburgh.

"That'll be a factor in how you play the game, and when you get in those games, obviously running the ball and playing defense are critical," coach Norv Turner said Sunday.

It will be a rematch of a Steelers win at home Nov. 16. Not only was it the first 11-10 score in NFL history, but it was the first of three consecutive losses that appeared to all but doom the Chargers.

The Chargers fell to 0-13 in regular-season games in Pittsburgh. However, they've won twice there in the playoffs, in a wild-card game in January 1983 and a shocking upset in the AFC Championship Game in January 1995, resulting in the only Super Bowl appearance in team history.

Sproles had 328 all-purpose yards against the Colts, including the winning 22-yard touchdown run in overtime.

Tomlinson, meanwhile, didn't play after scoring on a 3-yard run in the second quarter. He looked uncomfortable standing on the sideline, appearing to have a hard time standing straight up.

Asked about his short-term health, Tomlinson said: "I'm worried about my health. I'm very concerned."

The Chargers continue to say Tomlinson has a strained groin. Reports surfaced Saturday that Tomlinson has a detached tendon.

"It's a strained groin. That's what our medical report is," Turner said. "I don't think it's any worse, but it isn't any better."