Ryan Mathews is averaging a fumble every 42.5 times he touches the ball, losing a fumble every 78 touches.

“I am very concerned, and it has to stop,” said Chargers' general manager A.J. Smith. “I believe you can improve in ball security. And no one works any harder in trying to get better than Ryan. However, if it continues he will play less.”

Smith traded up 16 spots in 2010 to draft Mathews, which came two months after the Chargers parted ways with LaDainian Tomlinson.

“Extremely talented players like Ryan get multiple opportunities to improve,” Smith continued. “What happens to fumblers is, first, they play less. Second, if it continues while they’re playing on a limited basis, then you don’t play for a while and you get to sit and think about it.

“Third, when you get the call to go back on the field and the fumbling continues, then you will be somebody else’s fumbler.”