Chargers LT Russell Okung Won’t Be Ready To Return For Week 1

Chargers GM Tom Telesco said LT Russell Okung would not be ready to play by Week 1, per Eric Williams. 

Telesco added the team wants to make sure Okung is fully healthy before he returns to the field and should have another update in a few weeks.

Okung has been recovering from a pulmonary embolism due to blood clots, but is expected to eventually make a full recovery.

The Chargers placed Okung on the active/non-football injury list during training camp, but would have to transfer him to the reserve list, which would cost him the first six games or carry him on their active roster. 

Okung, 30, is a former first-round pick of the Seahawks back in 2010. After six years in Seattle, Okung signed a one-year, $5 million contract that included a team option with the Broncos in 2016. 

Okung later signed a four-year, $53 million contract with the Chargers that included $25 million guaranteed. He stands to make base salaries of $13 million over the next two years. 

In 2018, Okung appeared in 15 games for the Chargers and made 15 starts at left tackle. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 11 offensive tackle out of 80 qualifying players.