Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson
We're putting LaDainian Tomlinson on the hot seat this week.
I'm sure he can handle it. This is a player on his way to the Hall of Fame. He will persevere. But times are tough for the Chargers' star running back. A turf toe injury he suffered in Week 1 against Carolina has been hampering him all season. Tomlinson has tried to tough it out and practiced every day last week for the first time since suffering the injury.
But his play has clearly been affected. Tomlinson, 29, had just 35 yards on 12 carries against Miami in a 17-10 San Diego loss. Tomlinson, who is averaging 3.7 yards-per-carry this season, couldn't punch it in from the 1 on fourth and goal in the fourth quarter.
Tomlinson admitted that his injury is hampering him but don't expect the heart and soul of the Chargers to take any time off. Tomlinson said this week that the 2-3 Chargers are entering a critical time. He's right. San Diego hosts New England on Sunday night before back-to-back road trips to Buffalo and to London to play New Orleans before the bye week. The Chargers are two games behind Denver in the AFC West.
They must get it together and it starts with Tomlinson. With many pundits wondering if Tomlinson is nearing the end, he needs to lift himself and the Chargers. It begins Sunday against the Patriots.
Williamson joined ESPN.com in 2008 after four seasons covering the Denver Broncos for the Denver Post. He previously covered the Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks.
