Manti Te'o to be sidelined with foot sprain in Chargers' season opener

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 3:12 p.m. ET

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By Ross Jones, FOXSports.com Anyone feverishly awaiting Manti Te’o’s NFL debut will have to wait at least another week. The polarizing San Diego Chargers linebacker was ruled out for Monday night’s opener against the Houston Texans with a foot injury. Te’o sprained his right foot in the first preseason game and hasn’t participated since. At the time of the setback it was considered to be a minor obstacle, but this injury could dramatically affect defensive coordinator John Pagano’s game plan. Last year’s Heisman Trophy finalist will likely be replaced by Bront Bird, a three-year pro who has appeared in 14 NFL games. Questions? Comments? Send them to lacesoutmail@gmail.com and we might respond in our weekly mailbag!