Chargers don’t need their MVP to beat Rams, 30-13

ST. LOUIS -- If the San Diego Chargers can save LaDainian Tomlinson for the regular season, the St. Louis Rams figure they can preserve their star running back too.

Tomlinson, the NFL MVP, didn’t dress for the Chargers’ 30-13 exhibition victory Saturday night and hasn’t been on the field in August since 2005. St. Louis’ Steven Jackson, who led the league with 2,334 yards rushing and receiving last year, might as well have not dressed either.

Jackson was on the field for the first play, a pass from Marc Bulger to Torry Holt, and then called it a night. In two games, Jackson has two receptions for eight yards, but no carries.

The Chargers (1-1) didn’t need Tomlinson, who gouged the Rams for 183 yards and two touchdowns in a 14-point victory last season. Darren Sproles returned a punt 81 yards for a touchdown in the final minute of the first half and Philip Rivers threw a five-yard scoring pass to Vincent Jackson in the first quarter.

“The No. 1 thing I was looking for was that improvement you make from Game 1 to Game 2, and I think we made that,” Coach Norv Turner said.