Chargers' Okung placed on NFI list after suffering pulmonary embolism

Los Angeles Chargers left tackle Russell Okung is recovering from a pulmonary embolism that he suffered in June because of blood clots.

"After experiencing unusual chest pain at practice, on June 1st I went to urgent care out of an abundance of caution," he wrote in a statement posted on Twitter. "According to the doctors who treated me, the decision to do so likely saved my life."

Okung was placed on the non-football illness list Wednesday as Los Angeles began training camp. Chargers general manager Tom Telesco said Okung had experienced a "pretty serious medical issue" and could miss all of camp.

The 30-year-old said he is on the path to recovery and expects to play this season.

"While near death type experiences are certainly a wake-up call, I'm feeling great physically. It's not an ankle or shoulder. As soon as doctors clear me, my plans include blocking (quarterback Philip Rivers') #17's blind side all the way to (Super Bowl LIV in) Miami."

Okung joined the Chargers as a free agent in 2017.

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