Ryan Mathews (knee) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Broncos, Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Mathews (knee) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Broncos, Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Analysis:

With Donald Brown still out, Branden Oliver will head the Chargers' backfield Thursday against Denver, while Mathews' potential return date is still cloudy at this stage.