The Chargers were clearly trying to facilitate a big day for Ryan Mathews, and he was obliging with 37 yards on his first seven carries. His 13-yard catch-and-run to start the second quarter gave him 55 total yards from scrimmage.
But on the second play of the quarter, Mathews had the ball stripped at the end of a three-yard run, and the Texans took over at the Chargers’ 44.
Mathews’ next carry would be his last of the day, as he aggravated the right ankle injury that had hampered him much of the first half of the season.
Mathews’ lost fumble was his third in 102 NFL touches, matching his total in 553 carries at Fresno State.
If he misses time, Mike Tolbert would likely fill again. The Chargers have a week 10 bye to try and get Mathews healthy again.