AP

Last Thursday, Chargers running back Ryan Mathews fractured a clavicle on his first carry of the preseason. A week later, he told XTRA Sports 1360 that he has “no doubt” he’ll be ready to go in Week One, when the Chargers face the Raiders on Monday Night Football.

The three-year veteran said that he’s out of a sling, and he believes he’s ahead of schedule. The Chargers initially said that Mathews is expected to miss four-to-six weeks. The front end of that estimate would indeed allow him be ready for the first week of the regular season.

Mathews also explained on The Drive with Costa and Judson that he has been doing some light workouts and will start running again next week.

If Mathews is overstating his timeline for healing, it would make sense for the team physician to be candid with him. Then again, Dr. David Chao may have bigger fish to fry right now.