SAN DIEGO -- LaDainian Tomlinson spared reporters the suspense of waiting for Friday injury's report to reveal his injury status. He said on Wednesday that he' s doubtful to play in Sunday's AFC divisional round playoff at Pittsburgh, which, in NFL-speak, means there's a 75 percent chance he won't play against the Steelers.

Tomlinson also revealed new details about the severity of an injury the Chargers have continually called a strained groin that might anchor him to the sideline.

"It's definitely torn," Tomlinson said. "â€- If it was a strain, I'd be able to play with it. Trust me. A lot of guys have strains."

Tomlinson got hurt in the Dec. 28 regular-season finale against Denver. He was in the midst of what many considered his best and his grittiest performance of the season when the groin partially tore away from the bone.

It hindered Tomlinson greatly in Saturday's 23-17 overtime win over the Colts, forcing him out of the game for good early in the second quarter.

"That game was just all pure determination of trying to just push it and trying to do as much as I could and go," Tomlinson said. "But it was clear from the first carry that I couldn't pick my leg up and explode and it did feel like it was dragging."

This marks the second straight postseason where Tomlinson has been hobbled, a difficult set of circumstances for the hard-nosed competitor that has brought the Chargers into a golden era.

"I don't think anybody can know the frustration, to be honest with you," Tomlinson said. "It's tough dealing with it. I really sometimes just want to go home and just stay at home and lock myself up and not even go into public, just because all my life, all I've ever wanted to do is play football and win a championship. And to feel so helpless, to be at this point where we have a chance to do it and again, I can't do anything about it, I can't play, it's like I'm being punished for something. It's tough to deal with."

While it's a virtual certainty that Tomlinson won't play against Pittsburgh, the Chargers won't put him on injured reserve because they aren't in dire need of an extra roster spot to shore up a position. The odds of Tomlinson returning anywhere close to the form that made him a superstar fall somewhere between slim and none.

"Miracles do happen," Tomlinson said. "I think we'll just have to wait and see."

Tomlinson, limited to a career-low 1,100 rushing yards this season because of a nagging toe injury early in the season, said that surgery has been suggested to repair the groin tear.

"I've had doctors say I may need surgery and I've had some that have said 'don't do surgery,'" Tomlinson said. "Of course I would want to get through this without having surgery and that's why I'm going to take my time and wait and see if I'm actually going to need it, before I do anything stupid."

No new news on Jackson

Charges have not been filed against Chargers wide receiver Vincent Jackson, who was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving Tuesday morning.

As of late Wednesday afternoon, California Highway Patrol had not presented Jackson's case to the San Diego City Attorney's office for prosecution, spokeswoman Gina Coburn said. That means charges could still be forthcoming, depending on the results of a blood test Jackson took Tuesday morning and other details in Jackson's case.

Other injury updates

In addition to Tomlinson, tight end Antonio Gates and defensive tackle Jamal Williams didn't participate in Wednesday's workout. Gates is recovering from a high ankle sprain and Williams took the day to rest. Both are expected to play against the Steelers.

Gates said he feels about the same as he did last week at this time after getting hurt against Denver.

"I was a little sore coming off the (Indianapolis) game ," Gates said.

"Obviously that was my expectations and I kind of had to plan that if I was going to play I was going to feel a certain way. That's exactly what happened. I felt really, really sore on Sunday. I felt really, really sore on Monday and Tuesday and I'm able to walk around pretty decent (Wednesday), kind of normal to where it was last week."

Contact staff writer Scott Bair at (760) 739-6642 or sbair@nctimes.com.

Staff writer Teri Figueroa contributed to this report.