SAN DIEGO -- After six weeks of standing on the sidelines as a spectator, San Diego Chargers running back Ryan Mathews is nearing a return to the field.

Mathews suffered an MCL knee sprain in a Sept. 14 contest against Seattle. San Diego’s running game has not been as consistent with the team’s every-down back out. The Chargers are averaging a league-worst 3.1 yards per carry.

Mathews buoyed San Diego’s rushing game last season, finishing with a career-high 1,255 yards in 2013. Mathews worked on agility drills with San Diego’s training staff last week and ran wind sprints during pre-game workouts Thursday at Denver, both indications he’s getting close to being healthy enough to play.

“I’m just taking it day by day,” Mathews said. “I’m just waiting for them to give me the go ahead so I can let it loose. I’m working out as much as I can, trying to keep my body in shape and getting strong again.”

While working diligently to get back on the field, Mathews also will host a fundraiser close to his heart Tuesday at the Rancho Bernardo Inn. The golf charity event raises money for homeless mothers and their children through his foundation, the Trish and Ryan Mathews Door of Hope Chest.

Mathews said the event sold out the first time they held it last year, and he hopes to keep growing the charity.

Mathews has first-hand experience with the issue of homelessness. Raised by a single parent, he had to live out of a car as an infant with his mother, Tricia, while living in Riverside, California.

“It’s basically helping homeless mothers get back on their feet,” Mathews said. “That was a big part of my life growing up. So being able to help those homeless mothers, like I helped my mom, is great.

“It’s real important. She’s the main symbol for the organization. She’s worked hard all of her life to get to where she’s at. And she helped to create a lot of beneficial things for me.”

Mathews said that his mother works with the Salvation Army to help homeless mothers and other families in need, especially with the holiday season approaching.

“I know with the holidays coming up, this is a big time for her,” Mathews said. “So she’ll probably be down at my house for a long time.

“It’s humbling, being able to give back. There’s a lot of people that are in need. And I’m going to do my part, whether it’s going to an event like this and shaking some hands, taking a picture or signing an autograph or whatnot. It’s something.”