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a veteran contributor is already done for the season...
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I wrote earlier today that outside linebacker Grant Nelson was removed from the 105-man roster while dealing with an illness, and that it was hoped he would join the team after the start of the semester. Well, it turns out that Nelson will now miss the season due to surgery related to that illness. I'm told he should be able to resume his playing career once he has fully recovered.
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The loss of Nelson is significant, as it leaves no proven backup to strongside linebacker David Nixon--so one of the first items of business at camp is to idenitfy a second-string SLB. Options would include cross-training projected starting weakside backer Vic So'oto, but he already has a lot on his plate, since he and projected backup Coleby Clawson are both learning new positions to begin with.
Outside linebacker could be a fluid position in camp, and Kelly Bills' current listing as a FB may or may not be set in stone, depending on what develops behind Nixon. Also, while I am including Matt Putnam in the outside linebacker group, there could be some question as to whether that is where he will ultimately play.
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