SDUT: McNeill coming back, unlikely to start opener
Robin Miller
McNeill coming back, unlikely to start opener
By Kevin Acee and Chris Jenkins
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITERS
September 2, 2008
Marcus McNeill got good news yesterday after an MRI and expects to be
cleared to return to practice this week, but it appears it will be too late
for him to start against the Carolina Panthers and Julius Peppers on Sunday.
Asked yesterday if L.J. Shelton would most likely start at left tackle in
the season opener, head coach Norv Turner said, "Yeah, I hate to get into
those most likelys, but that's probably correct."
McNeill is scheduled to visit a spine specialist in Los Angeles tomorrow to
find out if he is OK to return to practice. While his injury has been
described as a stinger, McNeill said the injury was more like a bulging disc
near his spinal cord. He suffered the injury during warm-ups in practice
Aug. 4 when he slipped and a teammate's knee hit him in the forehead,
jamming his neck.
McNeill, who has worked lightly outside of practice, said he is not feeling
pain. His being held out is more of a precaution.
"When you're dealing with stuff that close to the spine you don't want to
fool around with it," he said. "It's a time schedule the doctors set - one
month from the time of the injury."
While McNeill said he is prepared to "go full speed as soon as they let the
reins off," it would be difficult for him to be ready for a game without
having worked in a month.
Roster moves
Things had truly gotten tight at tight end, so the Chargers moved quickly to
sign veteran Kris Wilson, imported along with guard Kynan Forney yesterday.
To make room on the roster, the Chargers released fullback Andrew Pinnock
and placed offensive lineman Cory Withrow on the injured reserve list.
Though he was coming off microfracture surgery, Pinnock was expected at the
outset of training camp to inherit the departed Lorenzo Neal's starting spot
at fullback, but he effectively was beaten out by undrafted rookie Mike
Tolbert.
Released by the Philadelphia Eagles over the weekend, the 6-foot-2,
251-pound Wilson played fullback and tight end in his three seasons with the
Kansas City Chiefs. He became more appealing to San Diego when Chargers
tight end Scott Chandler broke his toe in the final exhibition game, leaving
the Chargers with only a sore-toed Antonio Gates and Brandon Manumaleuna at
tight end.
"We had a situation at tight end where we were able to add a player in Kris
Wilson that we're familiar with, and he can be a productive player for us,"
Turner said. "He's an athletic guy who's a very good receiver. He blocks
well on the edge. He's experienced in this offense. Charlie Joiner coached
him in Kansas City, so we have a very strong familiarity with him there."
An eight-year veteran whose forte is run-blocking, Forney was a Pro Bowl
alternate with the Atlanta Falcons, but he also was cut when rosters were
trimmed to 53.
"It felt like Christmas," said Forney of the call from San Diego. "I was
sad, then I got picked back up real quick. I had no idea they were
interested. I knew there were some teams interested in trading for me a few
weeks back, and I thought I might be with one of them, but I had no idea San
Diego was interested. When I heard I was coming here, I still didn't believe
it. I'm really happy. This team is on the verge."
Back to work
Shawne Merriman said his left knee "felt good" after practicing for the
first time since Aug. 7. Merriman, who wore a big brace on the knee, is
expected to play Sunday.
Also expected to play is Jamal Williams, who had not practiced or played
since the first preseason game while resting his surgically repaired and
creaky knees. He practiced yesterday.
"Nothing has changed," said Williams, who during training camp said he felt
better than he has in two years. "This is a big year. I'm going to go out
and give it all I've got."
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> McNeill coming back, unlikely to start opener
>
> By Kevin Acee and Chris Jenkins
> UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITERS
>
> September 2, 2008
>
> Marcus McNeill got good news yesterday after an MRI and expects to be
> cleared to return to practice this week, but it appears it will be too late
> for him to start against the Carolina Panthers and Julius Peppers on Sunday.
>
> Asked yesterday if L.J. Shelton would most likely start at left tackle in
> the season opener, head coach Norv Turner said, "Yeah, I hate to get into
> those most likelys, but that's probably correct."
It's not a big deal as long as he's back next week. If he's out of a
month then it becomes a big deal.
ScottW
We have to wait and see how he does. McNeill sucked early last year.
I sure don't think he's close to being good enough to miss all of camp
and be effective.
ScottW
Pouta
ScottW
> LT won another rushing title, and you think MM sucked last year ?
Early in the year, yeah. His pass blocking sucked.
ScottW
Kurgan Gringioni
Got smoked by Vandenbosch (Titans) and Vrabel?Colvin? (Patriots).
Vandenbosch ran right through a McNeil/Dielman double team and
whichever Pats linebacker it was ran right around him, hardly any
resistance at all.
Pouta
Chargers think OLT Shelton can be suitable replacement for injured Pro
Bowler McNeill
by Michael Blunda
Sept. 5, 2008
While most teams would panic if they were entering a season without
their starting left tackle — especially when that player is a two-time
Pro Bowler — the Chargers are doing no such thing. Even though Marcus
McNeill has been sidelined with a neck injury for more than a month,
we hear that the team is very confident in his replacement, free-agent
pickup L.J. Shelton, who’s likely to start in the opener. Shelton is
no stranger to starting — he has done so 125 times in his nine-year
career — and San Diego was impressed with his ability to protect the
quarterback’s blind side in the preseason. The question with Shelton
might not be his effectiveness, but how long he’ll be asked to play a
big role. McNeill visited a specialist this week to have his painful
neck examined, and there’s no timetable yet for his return. The Bolts
eventually will need him back if they hope to make a Super Bowl run.
Kurgan Gringioni
> http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFL/AFC/AFC+West/San+Diego/WWHI/...
>
> Chargers think OLT Shelton can be suitable replacement for injured Pro
> Bowler McNeill
>
> by Michael Blunda
> Sept. 5, 2008
>
> While most teams would panic if they were entering a season without
> their starting left tackle — especially when that player is a two-time
> Pro Bowler — the Chargers are doing no such thing. Even though Marcus
> McNeill has been sidelined with a neck injury for more than a month,
> we hear that the team is very confident in his replacement, free-agent
> pickup L.J. Shelton, who’s likely to start in the opener. Shelton is
> no stranger to starting — he has done so 125 times in his nine-year
> career — and San Diego was impressed with his ability to protect the
> quarterback’s blind side in the preseason. The question with Shelton
> might not be his effectiveness, but how long he’ll be asked to play a
> big role.
Good (as long as McNeil gets back).