COSTA MESA, Calif. -- Already ruled out for the remainder of training camp with a lower back disc herniation, rookie receiver Mike Williams is getting better and began running on the field Monday, according to Los Angeles Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn.
"He’s back on the grass," Lynn said. "He’s running. He’s doing well."
Williams was evaluated by team doctors just before training camp, and according to the team will continue to follow a plan put together by his own specialist, Dr. Robert Watkins.
The Chargers placed Williams on the active/physically unable to perform list as players reported to camp.
Selected No. 7 overall, the big-bodied Williams was drafted by the Chargers to give quarterback Philip Rivers another impact player on third downs and in the red zone.
However, the Clemson product suffered a back injury on the first day of rookie minicamp in May.
The Chargers still hold out hope that Williams could make it on the field during exhibition play so they can get him ready for the regular season.
“We just want him to keep progressing and not have any setbacks,” Lynn said. “And we’ll see what happens.”
Cumberland a father: Lynn told reporters that tight end Jeff Cumberland missed practice on Tuesday for the birth of his child, a 6 1/2-pound boy. Cumberland suffered an Achilles tendon tear in exhibition play in 2016 and had to sit out the season. He’s been one of the pleasant surprises in camp so far for the Chargers, making several explosive plays in the passing game.
Injury update: Cornerback Jason Verrett was a full participant in practice for the first time on Tuesday during training camp and looked like his old self, knocking down a couple of passes and running stride for stride with speedster Tyrell Williams on a go route. After a rest day, Rivers returned to practice, and tight end Antonio Gates returned from attending the 2017 Hall of Fame ceremony. Keenan Allen returned to practice after sitting out three days with a sore calf. Receiver Geremy Davis (hamstring) also returned to practice on a limited basis. Defensive end Chris Landrum (shoulder), Andre Patton and Craig Mager did not practice.