SAN DIEGO — After putting his right arm to good use, Philip Rivers proved he has some wheels, too.
Picking up on something he had seen while watching film during the week, Rivers scored on a 5-yard scramble late in the third quarter Sunday to highlight a 23-13 victory over the Miami Dolphins (0-3), who lost quarterback Chad Pennington to a shoulder injury early in the second half.
It was just the second rushing touchdown in Rivers’ career.
“I’m not used to scoring on the run,” said Rivers, who threw for 303 yards a week after setting his career high with 436 yards in a loss against the Baltimore Ravens. He didn’t throw a touchdown pass or an interception.
In the shotgun on third-and-goal, Rivers couldn’t find a receiver and the pocket collapsed, but a hole opened up the middle, so he sprinted into the end zone for a 10-6 lead.
Safety Eric Weddle intercepted Miami backup quarterback Chad Henne and returned it 31 yards for a score with just less than six minutes to play.
The Chargers (2-1) are above .500 in the regular season for the first time since the end of 2007. The Dolphins are 0-3 for the third time in six seasons.
“As I told them in the locker room, you can’t put your lip out too long,” Miami coach Tony Sparano said.
