The Chargers took Penn State guard Johnnie Troutman in the fifth round of the NFL draft, but they’re not expecting him to play as a rookie.
Troutman had surgery on Thursday after he suffered a torn pectoral muscle while working out, and he was already dealing with a knee injury he suffered at the Senior Bowl, and U-T San Diego reports that he’s expected to miss the entire 2012 season while rehabbing the injuries.
Although Troutman started 32 games at left guard at Penn State, he has had on-and-off knee problems since he suffered a torn ACL in high school. The Chargers say they were aware of the pectoral injury and the knee issues and that they still believe he’s a player who is going to contribute.
“We wanted the player,” General Manager A.J. Smith said.
And they wanted the player badly enough that they were willing to spend a draft pick on him even if they won’t get the player on the field until 2013.