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Home , Christian Darrisaw, David Bakhtiari, Dominique Dafney, Jace Sternberger, Josiah Deguara, Kellen Mond

national football league TelegraphHerald.com • Telegraph Herald • Saturday, August 14, 2021 5B

MINNESOTA VIKINGS Vikings 1st-round rookie Darrisaw out after groin surgery BY BRIAN HALL Dr. William Meyers in Phila- who was the team’s second contacts. The Associated Press delphia. pick in the draft, returned to “I’ve talked to people around Darrisaw will be out of ac- practice on Tuesday following me who I trust,” Mond said. “I EAGAN, Minn. — Joint prac- tion for the next few weeks. his bout with COVID-19. He think it’s a little bit more in the tices this week against the Den- “It was taken care of in Jan- said he relates his symptoms conversation since I’ve had ver Broncos have challenged uary,” Vikings coach Mike to having the flu when he was COVID-19, but I think those are rookie Zimmer said after the practice younger. He stayed involved in personal things I’m (not) going in against Denver. “We didn’t ex- meetings through video con- to speak about. Like everyone is his return after missing 10 days pect this.” ferencing but couldn’t get on entitled to their own opinion.” with COVID-19. Minnesota drafted Darrisaw the field. Zimmer has said it’s not re- Minnesota’s other top rook- 23rd overall in the hopes he’d “I think just missing 10 days alistic for Mond to play in Satur- ie, first-round tackle Christian fill the void at left tackle after and just the rhythm of every- day’s preseason game against the Darrisaw, is only falling further veteran was released thing, I think COVID, I think Broncos after the missed time. behind. in March. Darrisaw’s mostly the respiratory system or what- “Honestly, Mond needs to Darrisaw, who had a groin been an observer instead of the ever, it kind of makes it hard to pick up the tempo,” Zimmer injury last season at Virginia integral piece for the Vikings’ BRUCE KLUCKHOHN • The Associated Press breathe,” Mond said. “So just said Thursday. “Everything is Tech that necessitated core continued overhaul of the of- Minnesota Vikings lineman watches coming out here and getting slow-motion, a little bit. But he muscle surgery in January, fensive line. drills during training camp last month in Eagan, Minn. my weight back on and I think did make some good throws to- has yet to take a turn during Veteran , re- that’s my biggest focus.” day, I thought, and moved out of full-team drills. A person with signed in the offseason as in- tice likely complicates his abil- ry, they’re all different. I would Mond declared himself the pocket a couple of times. He knowledge of the situation, surance, has been the top left ity to contribute early. say when he’s been here, he’s “100%.” He wouldn’t say if he needs a bunch of experience, speaking to The Associated tackle in Darrisaw’s absence. “I wouldn’t put a number been really sharp and really would get the vaccine now. so he’s going to get a lot of reps Press on condition of anonym- Zimmer said doctors have on it,” dialed in. So, mentally, I don’t Zimmer has pushed for his in this preseason. Just watching ity because the team was not told him Darrisaw could be Klint Kubiak said of how much think it’ll be a problem. We’ve to get vaccinated him, everything needs to get releasing details, confirmed ready for the season opener practice time Darrisaw will just got to get his physical reps after Mond tested positive and sped up, faster and quicker, be- that Darrisaw had a minor pro- on Sept. 12 at Cincinnati. Even need when he returns. “With and get his conditioning.” and cause it happens so much faster cedure Thursday by specialist then, Darrisaw’s lack of prac- any player coming off an inju- Mond, the third-rounder had to miss practices as close than he’s used to, I’m sure.”

GREEN BAY PACKERS Chiefs ready to shake off rust BY MATT DERRICK Brown has drawn the most The Associated Press scrutiny during training camp. Coach said he has ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — With been pleased with the 25-year- only a few practices remaining old lineman, who earned two before breaking training camp, nods while primari- the Kansas City Chiefs take a ly playing right tackle with the business trip today to visit the Ravens. . For quar- “He’s working through ev- terback , the erything and getting better,” results in this first preseason Reid said. “It seems like he has outing matter less than the pretty good communication process. right there with Thuney. They “You always like a score, but seem to be doing a decent job.” at the end of the day, I think Mahomes said he and Brown if the communication, the have been working on building procedures of in and out of a connection during training the huddle with so many new camp, learning each other’s guys, especially on that offen- tendencies and how best to sive line, I think that would be a mesh blocking sets and walking win for me just throughout this defenders around the pocket first game,” Mahomes said. where Mahomes wants to work. MORRY GASH • The Associated Press The Chiefs expect to start “A lot of times you’re on an runs a drill Deguara says his long recovery from a torn ACL took a toll five new faces on the line pro- island out there (at left tackle),” during training camp in Green Bay, Wis., last month. on him mentally as well as physically. tecting Mahomes against the Mahomes said. “You’re going 49ers, starting with left tackle up against usually the defense’s Orlando Brown Jr., who ar- best pass rusher, and for him, rived during the offseason via he’s trying different stuff, seeing a trade with Baltimore. Free- how I’ll like it. We communi- agent acquisition at cate, you see us communicating Packers get boost at TE left guard headlines the rest of on the sideline. We try to find the group rounded out by three that right spot so that we go into BY STEVE MEGARGEE field and not thinking about it is a big step Deguara said “deep down” he realized rookies: center Creed Hum- the season we’re ready to roll.” The Associated Press in the process,” Deguara said. “So getting the likely severity of the injury as soon as phrey, right guard Trey Smith The philosophy on the de- out there in practice, I’m not thinking it happened. and right tackle Lucas Niang. fensive side of the ball for the GREEN BAY, Wis. — Green Bay Pack- about it at all. I feel like I used to feel and “But obviously I was shocked and Offensive coordinator Eric Bi- first game is similar for coordi- ers tight end Josiah Deguara says his long I’m just happy to be back out there.” didn’t want to believe it and a lot of emo- eniemy he has been pleased with nator Steve Spagnuolo. recovery from a torn anterior cruciate lig- Deguara doesn’t know whether he will tions rushing through your head,” De- the communication he’s seen. “You go out to these first ament took a toll on him mentally as well play in the Packers’ preseason opener guara said. “The whole night’s just kind “I think more than anything games and everybody is do- as physically. Saturday against the , but of a blur. You try not to remember those it’s just watching those guys gel ing what I call block tackling, Now he’s back on the practice field and he already has shown he’s ready to rejoin times and just remember the good times together as a unit,” Bieniemy which I don’t like,” Spagnuolo eager to showcase the versatility that helped Green Bay’s diverse collection of tight ends. you had.” said. “Those guys are giving us said. “It’s like a swear word. him contribute immediately last year before “Deguara looks fantastic,” Packers coach Deguara now is back to give the Packers some good looks upfront. Those To me, I’m going to be really injuries wrecked his rookie season. Matt LaFleur said. “ It looks like he picked one more option at tight end. guys are working together. I’m looking for that, and I’m going “I think the mental side of rehab is up right where he left off last season.” is the rising star of the looking forward for them to to be looking for the operation downplayed a lot,” Deguara said Thurs- Last year, Deguara made a great first group who caught 11 touchdown passes continue the improvement.” between whistle and snap.” day. “Obviously you’re grinding every day impression with his wide array of skills. last year. has adopted and every day physically trying to get your Rather than specializing in blocking or more of a blocking role as the elder states- knee right, but the mental side of being catching, Deguara does both. He also can man entering his 16th season. hurt, not being able to play the game, not line up as an H-back. is the uplifting being around the team as much, it takes a Deguara kicked off his NFL career by story; he was working at a rooftop patio toll on you for sure.” starting and playing 24 snaps in a sea- ball last fall before working his way to the Deguara said he leaned on his faith, son-opening victory at Minnesota. He active roster for both of Green Bay’s play- family and friends to help him. The 2020 caught a 12-yard pass and blocked out off games. The Packers also return 2019 third-round pick from Cincinnati also two defenders to pave the way for a 19- third-round pick , who is bonded with teammate , yard run by that day. suspended for the first two games of the the All-Pro left tackle who tore his ACL on “He’s just such a savvy, smart football season after violating the NFL’s substance Dec. 31. player,” LaFleur said. “There’s so many abuse policy. While Bakhtiari’s status for the start of things he does that’s tough to coach.” “Seeing how different players do differ- the season remains uncertain, Deguara Ankle and shin injuries caused him ent things, and how different people do returned to practice last week. to miss the next two games. Deguara re- things well and you do things well, you’re “There’s mental hurdles like I stated turned for a Monday night victory over able to feed off each other,” Deguara said. “I ED ZURGA • The Associated Press throughout the whole process, and trust- the on Oct. 5 but tore the think that’s what makes our room special.” Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes passes ing your knee and remembering what ACL in his left knee in the final stages of And it’s even better now that Deguara during drills at the team’s NFL football training camp in St. happened and just getting back on the that game. has recovered. Joseph, Mo., last month.