SAN DIEGO -- San Diego Chargers guard Johnnie Troutman smiled and was in good spirits in a conversation with reporters after practice Thursday.
Projected as the Chargers' starting right guard for the opening of the regular season, Troutman suffered a broken right forearm in a Week 1 preseason contest against the Dallas Cowboys that required surgery to insert a plate and screws to help with the healing process.
If all goes well, Troutman is hopeful he can make it back on the field in time for San Diego's Week 3 regular-season road game against the Minnesota Vikings.
"I'll play again this year," Troutman told reporters. "I shouldn't miss too many games. Hopefully, it'll be the third game."
With Troutman unavailable, tackle D.J. Fluker started the first two preseason games at right guard, with Joe Barksdale at right tackle.
Middle linebacker Manti Te'o did not practice for a third straight day because of a shoulder injury suffered in San Diego's Week 2 exhibition game against the Arizona Cardinals. Chargers head coach Mike McCoy would not confirm Te'o's injury when asked by reporters after practice.
"He'll be back when he's ready to roll," McCoy said. "We will have him back out there on the field when he's ready -- when we think he's ready."
With Te'o unavailable, Kavell Conner likely will get the start Saturday at inside linebacker next to Donald Butler against the Seattle Seahawks.
Guard Orlando Franklin missed a second straight day of work with an undisclosed injury, putting his availability for Saturday's game in question. Swing tackle Chris Hairston could see time at left guard with Franklin out.
Cornerback Chris Davis still has not returned to the field from a concussion suffered against the Cowboys, while Dontrelle Inman remains out from a concussion suffered against the Cardinals last week.
Tourek Williams, who suffered a broken foot against the Cowboys, has his leg in a cast and could be out for an extended period of time.
Other players who did not practice Thursday for the Chargers include safety Gordon Hill, receiver Torrence Allen and cornerback Greg Ducre.
