Eric D. Williams, ESPN Staff Writer 6y

Melvin Ingram a no-show at start of Chargers OTAs

COSTA MESA, Calif. -- One of the best pass-rushers in the NFL, Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Melvin Ingram, did not report for the start of organized team activities at the Hoag Performance Center on Tuesday.

Ingram chose instead to remain in Florida, where he is getting ready for the start of training camp on July 28. The Chargers' brass previously knew of his plans not to attend.

Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn said he talked with Ingram earlier this offseason.

"Wherever he's at, I know he's getting ready because that's his makeup," Lynn said. "Yeah, I'd like for him to be here with his teammates, but these are voluntary, man."

Ingram, 29, totaled 56 combined tackles and tied a career high with 10.5 sacks in 2017, earning his first trip to the Pro Bowl in six NFL seasons as an injury replacement for teammate Joey Bosa. Ingram also served as a defensive co-captain for the Chargers last season.

The South Carolina product skipped voluntary workouts last year when the Chargers chose to apply the franchise tag to him in February, but he ultimately reported to mandatory minicamp last June after signing a four-year, $64 million contract extension that includes $34 million in guaranteed money.

Bosa also has not attended voluntary workouts in years past, and did not report to the first month of his team's offseason workout program.

But Bosa showed up for the start of OTAs on Tuesday, and said he has talked with Ingram.

"I know that he's doing what he has to do right now," Bosa said. "I trust that he'll be ready when he gets back."

Chargers defensive coordinator Gus Bradley said that he and defensive line coach Giff Smith have been in regular communication with Ingram. With his talented pass-rusher unavailable, Bradley said backups such as Chris Landrum and Isaac Rochell are taking advantage of the extra reps.

"It's voluntary," Bradley said. "Guys make choices like that. Obviously, as a coach, you want everybody here. But I've talked to Melvin about that.

"There's a great deal of trust with him, too. In communication, you build trust, and the talking through it, working through some things. He's had conversations with Giff, multiple times; they've had communications. I think there's a sense of trust."

^ Back to Top ^