Will former Kansas football standout Darrell Stuckey play in 2017?
By Stan Unruh
Former Kansas football standout Darrell Stuckey may not play this season. The Chargers released the former pro bowl player earlier this month.
The Kansas football team announced Tuesday they will honor the 2007 Orange Bowl team. Darrell Stuckey played an important role on that team. He started all 13 games for Mark Mangino. The San Diego now Los Angeles Chargers grabbed the 2008 All-Big 12 Safety in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL draft.
Kansas football fans looked forward to watching Stuckey for an 8th season as the Chargers transition up the San Diego freeway to LA. Stuckey failed a physical as training camp opened and they released him. According to ESPN, Stuckey injured a knee on the final play of last season. It occurred during a meaningless game in Cleveland.
As a matter of fact, the knee injury certainly slowed one of the NFL’s fastest and best players on special teams. The team put him on the physically unable to perform list as training camp opened. According to the ESPN report, the Chargers were also on the hook for $2.9 million in this the final year of Stuckey’s contract.
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After living in Southern California for many years, I’ve never understood the way the Chargers run their organization. This latest move to Los Angeles is doomed. I have to ask if the move to dump Stuckey is just financially motivated? I’m sure Kansas football fans wonder the same thing.
On the other hand, the Chargers did add a pair of safetys to their roster in last spring’s NFL draft. They also signed former Jayhawk cornerback Brandon Stewart. Why pay Stuckey $2.9 million when you have a rookie making considerably less. I hope Stucky is healthy and that his agent is working overtime to find him another place to play this season.