San Diego Chargers coach Mike McCoy announced no new injuries after Thursday night's 31-10 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, so it was a bit of a surprise when rookie linebacker Manti Te'o showed up to Saturday's practice in a walking boot.
McCoy revealed, via the Chargers' official website, that Te'o will miss a week of practice with a foot sprain. The Associated Press added that Te'o will not play in the Chargers' second preseason game Thursday night. There's no word on the severity of the injury, and McCoy did not specify how the sprain occurred.
Although Te'o started at inside linebacker in his preseason debut, he failed to record a tackle in two uneventful series. The second-round draft pick did play solid team defense, but he was swallowed up by Seahawks right guard Paul McQuistan and fullback Michael Robinsonon separate running plays. As expected, Te'o did not play in nickel packages.
As long as the injury doesn't keep him sidelined for more than a week or two, Te'o should retain his starting job as a two-down run thumper.
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