Te'o has foot sprain, won't play against Bears
SAN DIEGO — Chargers rookie linebacker Manti Te'o will sit out this week with a sprained right foot and miss San Diego's game against the Bears on Thursday.
Te'o wore a walking boot while watching Saturday morning's practice.
“Manti has a foot sprain and he will be out this week and I will give you any further updates as the week goes on, or next week,” coach Mike McCoy said. “But he will be out for the week.”
The team refused to make Te'o available to reporters, saying he would speak Monday.
McCoy, a rookie head coach, has been loath to share injury news.
When asked how Te'o, a starter who played briefly in Thursday's 31-10 loss to Seattle, sustained the injury, McCoy balked.
“I'm not ... he has a foot sprain,” McCoy said. “I will say that and move on from there.”
McCoy said the injury was diagnosed after the game.
However, when asked about injuries at Friday's news conference, the coach said: “As of right now, no one has reported any serious injuries from last night. I haven't sat down with our trainer yet, but I will in a little bit.”
This is the second time in camp that McCoy's information on injured players has turned out to be less than forthcoming.
On Tuesday, wide receiver Danario Alexander tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in practice, a season-ending injury.
McCoy downplayed the injury after practice. A few hours later, the team announced the severity of the injury.
Now Te'o is out for one game, and maybe longer.
“I think any player is disappointed when they have a little injury that is going to keep him out for a little bit,” McCoy said of Te'o's reaction to be sidelined. “But it's part of the game and he will do whatever he can to get back on the field as quickly as possible.”
Running back Danny Woodhead missed another practice on Saturday. McCoy wouldn't reveal the injury or Woodhead's anticipated return.
“No, I'm not going to explain, no” McCoy said. “He'll be back on the field when he is ready to go.”