Marcus

McNeill

The injury is not considered severe. McNeill, Philip Rivers’ rookie blindside protector, is expected back in time for Week 1.

Veteran Roman Oben is still hurt, and McNeill has performed well all off-season. McNeill, taken fiftieth overall, could prove to be a draft bargain. Still, Philip Rivers owners can’t be too excited about a rookie protecting his blind side.

The Chargers have moved on with Jared Gaither, and want former Raiders LT Mario Henderson as his backup. Their medical staff must not think much of McNeill’s back condition. The rest of the league doesn’t seem to, either.

McNeill has knee and back conditions, and the concern inside the Chargers’ building was that they are chronic. “He has been cleared to play by neck and spine specialist Craig Brigham,” insisted McNeill’s agent, Alvin Keels. “He’s 100 percent healthy.” Interested teams, if there are any, will determine that on an individual basis when they bring McNeill in for physicals.

McNeill had proven to be one of the league’s more durable left tackles before signing a six-year, $48.9 million extension in October 2010, but has been plagued by injury ever since, appearing in just 20 of a possible 32 games the past two seasons. He underwent two knee surgeries last offseason before a neck ailment sent him to injured reserve in November. It made no sense for the Bolts to pay his $10.5 million 2012 salary after waivers acquisition Jared Gaither fared surprisingly well in McNeill’s absence. Now a free agent, re-signing Gaither figures to be a priority for the Chargers.

McNeill and Demetrius Bell are easily the top two tackles on the free agent market, so the Eagles know where to look. Bell is scheduled to visit the team this weekend. McNeill could be next. McNeill’s market has been painfully slow after he was released by the Chargers in mid-March over medical concerns.

It appears the Lions are exploring alternatives to in-house free agent LT Jeff Backus. Detroit will be McNeill’s first-known visit since his Tuesday release.

McNeill visited the Lions on Friday, and has been cleared to play after a neck injury limited him to nine games last season. The Lions are reportedly still interested in re-signing Jeff Backus, so the Falcons and Chiefs could be more realistic options for McNeill.

Their return would have to come at the right price and likely not until after the draft. Pass-blocking liability Jeremy Bridges would start at right tackle if the season started today, though the Cardinals are expected to address the position in the draft. AzCardinals.com’s Darren Urban “never got the sense” that Arizona is interested in free agent Marcus McNeill.