Eight months removed from tearing his posterior cruciate ligament, Keenan Allen spent the final day of San Diego Chargers minicamp healthy and lined up with the first team. He hopes that trend continues when San Diego gathers for training camp on July 25.
"I want to be a starter," the Chargers rookie receiver told Kevin Acee of U-T San Diego. "I don't want to watch. I want to be part of the moment. I don't want to watch it."
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Unlike the two Chargers rookies drafted before him -- offensive tackle D.J. Fluker and inside linebacker Manti Te'o -- Allen has been brought along more slowly. Coach Mike McCoy worked the former Cal wideout into first-team action with Vincent Brown and Malcom Floyd at minicamp, but Allen's promotion was fueled by undisclosed injuries to Danario Alexander and slot man Eddie Royal.
Today, it's Brown -- not Allen -- who stands a better chance of starting opposite Alexander. McCoy said earlier this month he expects Brown to be "without a doubt" a big part of his offense.
The 6-foot-2 Allen disappointed with a 4.77-second 40-yard dash time at his pro day, but the Chargers reportedly see him playing closer to 4.55 on the field. He was praised for his smooth route running and "powerful hands" during minicamp.
Allen might not start out of the gate, but with the disappointing Robert Meachem still buried on the depth chart, he's a strong bet to contribute early for the Chargers. (Just no more Raiders hats, please.)
Follow Marc Sessler on Twitter @MarcSesslerNFL.
