Chargers cancel practice after Groy tests positive for COVID
Los Angeles Chargers coach Anthony Lynn canceled practice Thursday after right guard Ryan Groy tested positive for COVID19.
“I just wanted to make sure we keep it contained and give the players a little more piece of mind,” Lynn told the Los Angeles media. “We will pick up ( Friday) where we left off ( Thursday).”
Lynn said the Chargers will fold Thursday’s practice work into Friday’s session and possibly have an extended walk- through on Saturday before flying to Denver. When asked whether the positive test would affect the status of Sunday’s game at Empower Field, Lynn said there had been no indication it would.
“2020, there’s nothing like it,” Lynn said. “We have to adjust and adapt and that’s what we’re doing ( Thursday).”
The Chargers- Broncos game was originally scheduled for Nov. 22, but was moved to Sunday as a part of schedule machinations caused by New England’s coronavirus issues earlier this month.
Lindsay runs around.
Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay ( concussion) returned to practice and did limited work ( team stretch and some individual drills).
“What Phillip did was a part of the normal concussion protocol routine,” coach Vic Fangio said. “They let him go out and do football drills by himself and ( Friday), if he’s still making good progress, ( the doctors will) let him partake in some of practice. But they probably still won’t make their decision ( if he can play) until Saturday.”
Receivers Tim Patrick ( hamstring) and Diontae Spencer ( shoulder) did not practice.
Patrick did side- field work again and Fangio said, “he told me he was feeling better than ( Wednesday) and was pleased with how he worked out.”
Miller sheds boot. On Wednesday, injured outside linebacker
Von Miller observed practice with a boot on his left ankle that was injured on Sept. 8.
On Thursday, Miller was back outside minus the boot.
“I was surprised to see him without the boot, also,” Fangio said. “I believe it was ( Wednesday) he was told he would need to have the boot on until next Wednesday or Thursday. He said they told him he’s making good progress and still has a ways to go, but he could be out there without the boot.”
During the media viewing period, Miller observed the outside linebacker drills. Although on injured reserve, Miller hopes to play later this season.
Replacing Purcell. The Broncos have some options to replace nose tackle Mike Purcell, who sustained a season- ending foot injury in the loss to Kansas City, chiefly Sylvester Williams and Shelby Harris.
“Mike’s been a big part of our defense here since we inserted him in the starting lineup last year ( in Week 5) and we’re going to miss him,” Fangio said. “Sly is a guy who can go in there and play the position he’s played ( before). Shelby can play nose, DeMarcus ( Walker) can play nose. We’ve trained them all to be able to play all of the spots there and we’re going to have to do it by committee.”
Footnotes. Current Chargers/ former Broncos tight end Virgil Green was placed on injured reserve Thursday. … Harris ( illness) and right tackle Demar Dotson ( day off) returned to practice after sitting out Wednesday. … Outside linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu ( quad) and tight ends Andrew Beck ( hamstring) and Jake Butt ( hamstring) were limited participants. … Offensive line coach Mike Munchak did not attend practice and remains in the coronavirus protocols. Fangio said no other staff member was “close to him long enough to warrant missing any time.”