With his fake dead girlfriend fading from memory, rookie linebacker Manti Te’o is still dealing with a very real injury.
Per the Associated Press, the Chargers second-round pick has removed the walking boot from an injured foot. However, Te’o still isn’t practicing.
“He will be out there when he is ready to go,” said Chargers coach Mike McCoy, who has matched his football knowledge with a mastery of the obvious.
Te’o, who was injured during San Diego’s preseason opener, isn’t expected to play when the Chargers face the Cardinals.
“The saying goes you don’t know what you got until it’s gone and it’s only been a week and a half and I’m already itching to get back on the field,” Te’o said.
“I’m getting all the mental reps, I’m taking the practice script with me and watching what plays are going and trying to play the plays in my head. Even though I’m not in there physically, I’m just as much in it mentally.”
That last sentence could apply to Te’o in multiple ways. For now, though, the main focus is football, and it’ll be interesting to see what he can do when he gets back to 100 percent.