NFL Notes: Ryan Mathews, 49ers, Chargers, Steelers

Ryan Mathews

• Adam Caplan, citing a source, reports that former Eagles RB Ryan Mathews said he “definitely” wants to play this season, despite returning from a serious neck surgery.

49ers

• According to Matt Barrows, 49ers undrafted free agent LB Donavin Newsom is still dealing with concussion symptoms a week after sustaining a concussion.

Chargers

• Ian Rapoport reports that Chargers ILB Denzel Perryman is out at least 8-10 weeks after undergoing ankle surgery on Tuesday.
• Chargers HC Anthony Lynn said Perryman “is going to be out a while“, adding that he could be out 6-8 weeks. (Chargers’ official site)

Steelers

Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger admitted Monday on 93.7 The Fan that he probably could have handled the retirement talk better this offseason.

“It was just thoughts,” Roethlisberger said, via Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “It was just, I think, a prudent thing to do. Maybe I should’ve worded it, like, ‘Hey, I’m probably coming back, but I need to consider all my options.’ It had nothing to do with the [loss to the Patriots in the AFC championship] and this and that. It really was all about football, life, what’s going on at my age.”

Even so, Roethlisberger isn’t looking beyond the 2017 season.

“I hate to sit here and say that I’m gonna play for 10 more years, and I’ve said this before: I want to focus on this year,” Roethlisberger said. “I’m gonna give everything I have to this year, and if I’m gonna say ‘I’m definitely gonna be here in three years,’ well then, I’m cheating, I’m giving myself a timeline. I wanna be right here, right now and give everything I have to this. When I’m done, I’ll know I’m done.”