For their first Organized Team Activities (OTA) of 2015 the Chargers claimed nearly perfect attendance. Only a trio of veterans missed the workout at the team's training facility in Murphy Canyon on Tuesday.
Left tackle King Dunlap, tight end Antonio Gates and safety Eric Weddle were not on the field. Weddle is not attending the optional training sessions as a form of protest. He's unhappy because, in his estimation, the team has not worked hard enough to sign him to a contract extension.
Weddle's current deal expires at the end of the 2015 season. Gates also has an expiring contract but not seeing him at OTA is not uncommon. He typically spends this time of year with family and, let's be honest, it's not like that guy needs the extra work.
Dunlap also has personal matters to attend to. The Chargers were aware they would be absent. Without him the Bolts moved right tackle D.J. Fluker to left tackle, something they have done in game situations in the past, and put recent signee Joe Barksdale at right tackle. There is speculation that, when Fluker is there and the entire line is intact, Barksdale will stay at right tackle with Fluker moving inside one spot to play right guard.
Chris Watt and Trevor Robinson both worked at center with the first team while Orlando Franklin is the left guard.
Only one player was not working during the main drills. Rookie 2nd round pick Denzel Perryman, the inside linebacker from Miami (FL), worked with trainer James Collins on one of the side fields. That's where players with injuries typically spend time during practice.
A Chargers spokesperson told NBC 7 SportsWrap it was unsure what, if anything, was wrong with Perryman, but the spokesperson said it likely was not anything too serious.
