SAN DIEGO - Philip Rivers was back at practice Thursday, and by all accounts it was a perfect one.

The San Diego Chargers quarterback returned a day after sitting out practice in order to rest chest and back injuries. He expects to play at San Francisco on Saturday night, when the Chargers (8-6) hope to keep their playoff chances alive.

Rivers has injuries that neither the team nor the quarterback have spoken specifically about.

"Philip had an outstanding day," coach Mike McCoy said. "The ball did not hit the ground in all the throws he made today. So Philip was Philip today, so he'll be ready to roll."

Said Rivers: "We hit them all today."

The media is not allowed to watch practice.

Rivers said sitting out Wednesday "was the only choice to make. ... The week went as planned, to this point."

McCoy said Rivers has "taken plenty of snaps in this league so we thought that was the best thing for our football team and for him."

Rivers said it was important to be back out there Thursday.

"I hate missing at all in the week. To not practice at all, I can't imagine doing that. It was good."

The Chargers had been in control of their wild-card destiny, before home losses to New England and Denver. Now they need to win out and get some help from other teams.

Running back Ryan Mathews sat out practice again and is unlikely to play Saturday night. He hasn't practiced since suffering an ankle injury in a 23-14 loss to New England on Dec. 7.

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