Max

Tuerk

It’s terrible and unexpected news, especially on Father’s Day. The cause of his death has yet to be released. Tuerk was a standout offensive lineman at USC and was the Chargers’ No. 66 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. Tuerk struggled to find a role in the league after injuries and a four-game PED suspension stacked up. His professional football career ended with the Cardinals in 2018.

Coming off a torn ACL, Tuerk is expected to be ready for camp, but will be brought along slowly. If all goes according to plan, he will back up Matt Slauson as a rookie, but things rarely go according to plan with the Chargers’ offensive line.

Tuerk tore the ACL last year at USC. The hope is that Tuerk will be ready to go full speed by training camp. After signing Matt Slauson to start at center, the Chargers will be able to ease in Tuerk during his rookie season.

He’s eligible to return against the Giants in Week 5. The 2016 third-rounder has yet to play an NFL down.

Tuerk was the Chargers’ third-round pick in 2016 but has played only one snap the past two seasons. Arizona signed hybrid guard/tackle Justin Pugh to a five-year, $45 million contract this offseason, but the team’s interior line remains a looming question mark given the recent performance of all. A.Q. Shipley will continue to start at center.

Tuerk was a third-round pick of the Chargers in 2016, but he did not play any snaps as a rookie and was waived after serving a four-game PED suspension to start this year. C Daniel Munyer (toe) was placed on injured reserve in a corresponding move.

Tuerk tore his ACL five games into his senior season, but he’s been running and has “no limitations” in the weight room. It sounds like he’ll be ready for training camp. Tuerk started 38 games for the USC Trojans, with 13 coming at center. When healthy, Tuerk will compete with Chris Watt for the starting job.

Tuerk (6'5/298) made 38 starts for the Trojans, seeing action all over the line before suffering a year-ending knee injury five games into his senior season. Tuerk was voted first-team All-Pac 12 as a junior. Before his injury, Tuerk demonstrated top-shelf movement skills and flashed a nasty streak, but he desperately needs to get stronger. Tuerk also has short arms (32 1/2") that will limit him to the interior in the pros. Long and lean, Tuerk’s best NFL position is probably center. Unable to work out before the draft, Tuerk’s recovery may force him to open his rookie year on reserve/PUP. Announced as a center, Tuerk will push Chris Watt whenever he gets healthy.

The No. 66 overall pick of last year’s draft, Tuerk didn’t play a snap as a rookie as he returned from a college ACL tear. He then served a four-game PED ban to begin 2017. Perhaps the Bolts will try to stash him on the practice squad, but waiting on this high of a draft pick is usually cutting ties for good.