Russell Okung to provide injury update Thursday after practice

Russell Okung has been dealing with an undisclosed injury for over a month, but will reportedly reveal the issue Thursday after practice.

Starting left tackle Russell Okung has been absent from the Chargers practice field for some time now, forced to the sidelines due to an injury yet to be disclosed to the media and fans. As training camp begins, all eyes are on the veteran lineman as he returns to anchor one of the most important positions in football. All have been eager to uncover more details surrounding this peculiar situation; now, according to Tom Telesco, Okung is going to provide some insight at Thursday’s practice.

First announced on Twitter by The Athletic’s Daniel Popper, Okung will reportedly share what has been ailing him since June. It is apparently a serious medical issue, though such designation may not be a surprise considering the length of his absence. What’s different here is the team allowing him to reveal the injury himself, rather than have Tom Telesco or Anthony Lynn speak on his behalf. Immediately, this sounds as if it is a more personal issue than something like an ACL tear or broken collarbone would be.

Per Eric Williams, Okung was placed on the active Non-Football Illness list. It is unlikely Okung will appear at all this preseason, and it now sounds like the left tackle could miss regular season games. The Chargers face the Indianapolis Colts, Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, and Miami Dolphins through the first quarter of the season. Fans will just have to wait and learn the nature of Okung’s injury when he discloses it, and hope the veteran will not miss too much time in 2019.