Chargers cancel practice after Groy tests positive for COVID
Lindsay returns to practice, does limited workout
ENGLEWOOD — Los Angeles Chargers coach Anthony L ynn canceled practice Thursday after right guard Ryan Groy tested positive for COVID-19.
“I just wanted to make sure we keep it contained and give the players a little more piece of mind,” L ynn told the Los Angeles media. “We will pick up (Friday) where we left off (Thursday).”
L ynn said the Chargers will fold Thursday’s practice work into today’s session and possibly have an extended walk-through on Saturday before flying to Denver. When asked whether the positive test would af fect the status of Sunday’s game at Empower Field, L ynn said there had been no indication it would.
“2020, there’s nothing like it,” L ynn 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 par take 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 obser ved 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 obser ved the outside linebacker drills. Although on injured reser ve, 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 injur y in the loss to Kansas City, chiefly Sylvester Williams and Shelby Harris.
“Mike’s been a big par t of our defense here since we inser ted him in the star ting 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.”
Notable
Current Chargers/former Broncos tight end Virgil Green was placed on injured reser ve 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. … Of fensive line coach Mike Munchak did not attend practice and remains in the coronavirus protocols. Fangio said no other staf f member was “close to him long enough to warrant missing any time.”