Jackie Battle rushed just twice for two yards and caught one pass for 10 yards in Week 12 against the Ravens.

Ryan Mathews got the start in Week 12, rightfully so, and Battle was a non-factor. He'll never have fantasy value unless Mathews gets hurt, and even then it wouldn't be very high.

Jackie Battle started the Chargers' Week 11 loss to the Broncos.

Battle was the feature back on the Chargers' first two possessions. Then Ryan Mathews, who had been nursing a stiff neck, came on and carried the load the rest of the way. Battle finished with four carries for just negative-three yards. There's no real explanation for why Norv Turner started Battle if Mathews was healthy enough to play.

Jackie Battle rushed just two times for three yards in Week 6 against the Broncos.

Battle received scant work, and worked as an occasional short-yardage back on Monday night. The mirage as San Diego's lead back has finally been put to bed and out of the picture. Battle didn't enter the contest until right before halftime. Ryan Mathews is the lead back moving forward and is going to play all three downs much of the time. Battle should have already been placed on waiver wires after Week 5.

Jackie Battle "started" San Diego's Week 5 loss to the Saints, but ended up with just four carries for 10 yards.

He added two catches for seven yards. Battle was the every-down back on San Diego's first two drives, but became an afterthought after Ryan Mathews entered on series three and promptly began dominating the Saints' 32nd ranked run defense. Battle didn't touch the ball the game's final 41 minutes, and was clearly behind both Mathews and Ronnie Brown in the passing game. His three-week moment in the sun has come and gone. Hopefully you didn't blow your entire free-agent budget.

The Union-Tribune San Diego reports Jackie Battle is expected to start over Ryan Mathews against the Saints on Sunday Night Football.

Per beat writer Michael Gehlken, Mathews will enter "based on game flow," and could still "finish with more touches." Nevertheless, it's unwelcome news for those hoping Mathews' demotion was a one-week occurrence, especially considering the Chargers are taking on the Saints' 32nd ranked run defense. Mathews maintains a massive talent advantage over his 29-year-old backfield mate, but he's going to be in at least a semi-timeshare until he regains the coaching staff's trust. All that being said, Mathews might need only a few big early carries against Steve Spagnuolo's disastrous run unit to get himself back in coach Norv Turner's good graces.

Chargers coach Norv Turner was noncommittal Friday when asked who he'll start at running back in Week 5 against the Saints.

"The starter, we'll find out on the first play of the game," Turner said. If the Chargers had truly had a permanent depth-chart change, it stands to reason Turner wouldn't have been so evasive and named Jackie Battle the starter as he was last week. But that's not the case. Turner did indicate that Battle and Mathews will form a Week 5 timeshare. "It's not a big deal," said Turner. "One had 14 carries and one had 15 carries (last week), and if we can get that done again, it'll be outstanding."

The Chargers.com depth chart now lists Jackie Battle as San Diego's first-team tailback, ahead of Ryan Mathews.

And fantasy land loses its mind in 3 ... 2 ... 1 ... We'll give the Chargers this: if this is all part of a message-sending process aimed at Mathews, it's certainly elaborate. Mathews was mistake free on 16 touches in Week 4 aside from one dropped pass on an apparent miscommunication with Philip Rivers. In Week 3, his red-zone fumble occurred on the third possession of the game after Mathews missed the previous six weeks with a collarbone fracture. Against the Chiefs last week, Battle was the primary back until the blowout win got out of hand. We'll have more on the Battle-Mathews situation as the week moves forward, but for now the tea leaves suggest this will be a timeshare backfield until something changes, despite a major talent disparity between the two runners.

Jackie Battle admits he was shocked to receive the bulk of the Chargers' running back load in Week 4 against the Chiefs.

In other words, the Chargers didn't use Battle as the first-team back in practice to prepare him for the role. There's no depth-chart switch. They were sending Ryan Mathews a message. "I had no idea I was going to get that much work," Battle said. "They kept sending me back out and calling my number, so I figured I was doing something right." Since Mathews handled 16 touches without fumbling, look for him to handle the majority of work in Week 5 against New Orleans.

Jackie Battle rushed for 39 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries and caught four passes for 42 yards and another touchdown in Week 4 against the Chiefs.

Battle drew the start in place of Ryan Mathews, who was being punished for his Week 3 fumble. Battle played the entire first series and led the Chargers down the field for an opening drive touchdown, while he also handled all work inside the twenties. Mathews should supplant Battle as the workhorse back in the very near future, but as long as Battle keeps scoring touchdowns, the coaching staff will keep using him. Ronnie Brown worked in as the team's third-down back. Battle isn't a real fantasy option.

Jackie Battle started for the Chargers at running back in Week 4 against the Chiefs.

Chargers RB Jackie Battle put the Titans away in the second half, rushing for 69 yards on 14 carries including two touchdowns.

Jackie Battle (Lisfranc fracture) continues to deal with soreness.

Battle was given an eight-month recovery timetable after going under the knife on December 30 of last season. Coming off such a serious injury, he's not a realistic candidate to climb the depth chart while Ryan Mathews (fractured clavicle) is sidelined. Ronnie Brown, Curtis Brinkley and Le'Ron McClain make up the backup rotation.

Chargers GM A.J. Smith said Jackie Battle's focus will be on special teams.

Battle was not signed to threaten starter Ryan Mathews or backup Ronnie Brown. He's a straightforward plodder that has managed just 3.8 yards per carry on 190 career totes. "His focus will be on special teams first, running back second and fullback third," Smith said. "He's a guy we're going to throw in the mix and see how it all pans out."

Chargers GM A.J. Smith stated Friday that the team views Jackie Battle as possessing "triple value" in terms of his special teams prowess and ability to contribute as a tailback and fullback in a pinch.

"He's been added for depth," said Smith. "We feel he has triple value. He is an outstanding special teamer. He's also a good running back and can help us at fullback." Battle should make the Chargers' final 53-man roster, but he won't be a threat for many touches barring injury to Ryan Mathews.

Chargers signed RB Jackie Battle, formerly of the Chiefs.

A hard-charging, straight-line power back, Battle adds depth to a San Diego backfield sorely lacking it behind Ryan Mathews and Ronnie Brown. Battle's addition may spell the end of Curtis Brinkley's Chargers tenure. Turning 29 in October, the career special teamer Battle set career highs in carries (149), rushing yards (597), and touchdowns (2) last season, starting four of 15 appearances in K.C. He's unlikely to threaten Mathews' workload, but could be worth a look in fantasy leagues if Mathews' durability problems recur in 2012.

A "team inisder" tells ProFootballWeekly.com the Chargers are interested in signing a veteran running back.

The Bolts worked out free agent Jackie Battle in March, while plugged-in Union-Tribune San Diego reporter Kevin Acee has suggested Cadillac Williams could be a possibility. According to Pro Football Weekly's "insider," the Chargers are willing to wait until more players are willing to sign for the veteran's minimum before making a move. It's possible the Bolts will be willing to stand on their current trio of Ryan Mathews, Curtis Brinkley and seventh-round rookie Edwin Baker.

Free agent RB Jackie Battle visited the Chargers on Tuesday.

GM A.J. Smith indicated on Monday that the team was interested in four running backs to replace Mike Tolbert. With plenty of speed for a big back, yet no semblance of lateral agility, Battle wouldn't be a threat to Ryan Mathews' fantasy value if signed. He carries more value as a special teamer.

The Union-Tribune San Diego reports the Chargers could turn to free agent Jackie Battle if they fail to re-sign Mike Tolbert.

It's the first we've heard of Battle since the beginning of free agency. A fringe player in Kansas City for the past five years, 2011 was Battle's first real crack at playing time and he was highly unimpressive. He plodded to an average of four yards on 149 carries, and contributed very little in the passing game. He'd be a significant downgrade from Tolbert.

Free agent RB Jackie Battle intends to pursue a bigger offensive role on the open market.

We like setting sights high, but Battle isn't going to find what he's looking for. "I'm a running back true and true," Battle insisted. "I want to play as much running back as I can, for an opportunity to get a bigger running back role." Battle, 28, is a poor man's Justin Fargas and is averaging 3.76 yards per career carry. He has 14 career receptions in 48 games.

Chiefs placed RB Jackie Battle on injured reserve with a foot injury, ending his season.