Tomlinson to retire as a Charger
Jets running back LaDainian Tomlinson looks up at the score late in the fourth quarter. (Dec. 6, 2010) Credit: AP
Former Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson, who played the last two seasons with the Jets, is set to sign a one-year contract with San Diego Monday and announce his retirement.
Tomlinson played his first nine seasons with the Chargers, building a Hall of Fame resume as one of the NFL's most dominant running backs. The fifth overall pick of the 2001 draft had 13,684 rushing yards, fifth all-time, and 145 rushing touchdowns, second to Emmitt Smith.
Tomlinson scored a record 28 rushing touchdowns in 2006.
In his career he had 4,772 receiving yards, 17 touchdown catches and threw seven touchdown passes, including a total of five in the 2005 and 2006 seasons.
After the Chargers released him following the 2009 season, Tomlinson signed a two-year deal with the Jets.
He took over the starter's role from Shonn Greene and led the Jets with 914 rushing yards.
Last season, he had a diminished role with only 280 yards and one TD.
Tomlinson, who turns 33 Saturday, had been open to playing this season but was not pursued by any teams. The Jets plan to use second-year running back Joe McKnight as Greene's backup.
