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Manti Te’o out with foot fracture

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Manti Te’o will miss extensive time due to the latest foot injury.

The Chargers inside linebacker suffered a foot fracture during Sunday’s game against the Bills, sources said Monday. The severity is not such where he is expected to be placed on injured reserve, but he will miss multiple weeks.

It is a blow to San Diego’s defense.

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Te’o has a team-high 19 tackles in three games. He was credited Sunday with 10, tied for most in his career.

Foot injuries, however, have proven problematic. This is his third in two seasons.

The 2013 second-round pick injured his right foot during the exhibition opener of his rookie year. It cost him the first three regular-season games and required offseason surgery after he played the year out with a stress fracture. Sunday’s fracture is to the same foot but not considered a re-injury.

On Aug. 15, he sprained his left foot in an exhibition game versus Seattle. He rested and returned to practice Sept. 1. He started one week later in the season opener.

The Chargers seem more prepared to handle his absence this year than last.

They made a prudent move in March, upgrading their depth by signing inside linebacker Kavell Conner. He already has made an impact on special teams. On Sept. 14, he forced a fumble on a kickoff against the Seahawks. The Chargers recovered and scored a touchdown on the ensuing drive of a 30-21 win.

The team hosts the Jaguars on Sunday.

Conner is expected to start for Te’o, who walked in a protective boot Monday. Conner spent the previous four years with the Colts. He started 36 games there, including 15 in 2011.

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