The San Diego Chargers are heading into the 2013 season looking to improve on defense after an uneven campaign in 2013 and after drafting Manti Te'o the franchise is excited, but after dealing with a foot sprain in the preseason, he could be in question for Week 1 against the Houston Texans, making names like Takeo Spikes, Richard Seymour or Mark Anderson possible free agent options for the team.
Te'o looked solid in camp before getting injured and while Mike McCoy said he should be fine for Week 1, there is a chance the rookie from Notre Dame could have a setback. Te'o missed out on "valuable" preseason time on the field and now he may not be fully up to speed when the team opens against the Texans and they are already dealing with plenty of injuries after Danario Alexander was lost for the year at wide receiver.
Te'o was originally injured in early August in the first preseason game and if he misses out on Week 1, the team could use Bront Bird or Spikes as a free agent option. Te'o was expected to play a lot this season as the middle linebacker for McCoy and now he could be out for Week 1 and possibly more if the foot doesn't get back to full strength. Although Te'o had his scandal in college, he looks ready for the NFL and McCoy was pleased with how Te'o looked throughout the summer and his presence on the field.
Spikes played in all 16 games over the past two seasons for the Chargers and has been as durable as anyone during his career and after making 78 tackles last season and 106 the season before, he could be a solid spot starter for the team until Te'o gets healthy. Spikes has still never made the playoffs in his career and while he is getting up there in age, he also played for the 49ers and showed he has something left a few years ago, meaning the Chargers could take a flyer on him.
Another option could be Mark Anderson, who can play on the line and at linebacker and after previously having 12 sacks as a member of the Bears in the past and 10 for the Patriots two years ago, but now he is a free agent after being let go by the Bills. He could be a solid depth option for the team since he was not so great last season and while the Chargers have a nice line right now, Melvin Ingram is out with an ACL injury and they may want more next to Dwight Freeney.
Richard Seymour is a name that has been on the market for quite some time and he could be another cheap option after getting released by the Raiders. It obviously depends on injuries, but the Chargers could continue to make some upgrades on D as the season goes on.