Tomlinson seeks rushing title

San Diego takes on Denver in tonight’s game.

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The No. 3 seed in the AFC playoffs isn’t the only thing the San Diego Chargers are playing for in their final two games.

For one, LaDainian Tomlinson is within reach of his second straight NFL rushing title.

While wanting to help the AFC West champion Chargers (9-5) win and preserve the highest seed they can get, Tomlinson will want to know where he stands in the race for the rushing title as the season winds down, beginning with tonight’s home game against division rival Denver (6-8).

Tomlinson goes into the game with 1,311 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground.

Tomlinson’s path got a lot easier when NFL rushing leader Willie Parker broke his right leg in Pittsburgh’s win at St. Louis on Thursday night.

Parker entered the game with 1,317 yards, six ahead of Tomlinson.

Parker had one carry for a 1-yard loss before leaving the game.

“It’s unfortunate,” said Tomlinson, who watched Chargers fullback Lorenzo Neal suffer the same injury two weeks ago in a win at Tennessee.

“Anytime somebody gets hurt, it’s just tough to go through. He’s going through the same thing Lorenzo’s going through. I don’t wish it on anybody.”

Tomlinson doesn’t think Parker’s injury lessens his own pursuit of another title.

“I don’t know. Guys get hurt. It’s tough to stay healthy in this league,” Tomlinson said.

“I don’t know if it takes anything away from it. What if they were the first seed and he didn’t play in the last game? That would take something away.”

If the Chargers need him in a game in order to win, Tomlinson wants to go for it.

If the Chargers are blowing out their opponent, such as last Sunday’s 51-14 wipeout of Detroit, it wouldn’t be that important. In that game, Tomlinson ran for 116 yards and two scores, then sat out the second half after feeling a hamstring grab.

He said he could have gone back in, if needed.

“Yeah, I would want to know, because that’s something a lot of guys take pride in, not only myself but the offensive line group, tight ends, fullbacks,” he said.

“Yeah, you do want to know, especially with the way this season has unfolded.”