https://www.si.com/nfl/chargers/news/chargers-training-camp-kenneth-murray-return-from-injury

Chargers LB Kenneth Murray Eager to Use Setback as Motivation in His
Return to the Field

Kenneth Murray has made his return to the field following offseason
ankle surgery.

Nicholas Cothrel
4 hours ago

COSTA MESA – Chargers linebacker Kenneth Murray dealt with a nagging
ankle injury for the greater part of last season after stepping on a
pylon in the end zone during warm ups.

While it may have seemed to be something minor initially, Murray's
consistency was put in doubt as he played through the lingering injury.
After the Chargers' 2021 campaign came to a close, Murray had an exit
physical that included an MRI done on his ankle.

He received the advice from doctors to rest his ankle for eight to 10
weeks in hope of avoiding surgery. The thought process was it would heal
by demobilizing his ankle.

However, when Murray returned to the Chargers' facility in mid-to-late
March to begin ramping up his activity, he noticed that his ankle felt
no different than it did two and a half months ago.

That led to surgery being had in early April following second opinions.
Murray has spent the last five months rehabbing from the procedure.

He's been a non-participant for a little over three weeks of training
camp, but the former first-round pick made his return to the field this
week, completing individual and team drills during Tuesday's practice.

"We’re going to work him into individual [period] this week. I know he’s
excited to do that," head coach Brandon Staley said of Murray. "Just
making sure that we take a look at all the metrics, and then trust our
eyes and what we see, and talking to him."

Murray said Tuesday that the road back to recovery was a daunting task,
spending time in the rehab room by himself while his teammates get work
in on the field. But Murray said he's using his setback as motivation in
how he approaches the season ahead.

"I truly believe that adversity comes and it either makes you or breaks
you," Murray said. "My life and who I am, I choose to use that to forge
me into what I become today. Like I said before, I thrive on going out
there and showing that every day. That’s just how I feel about this
season and how I am approaching that this season is just every day, just
responding and showing who the hell I am. Period."

The Chargers will ramp up Murray day-by-day. As the Week 1 season opener
against the Las Vegas Raiders sits just under three weeks away, Murray
believes he'll be ready for the start of the regular season.

“I truly do believe that everything that I’ve been through up to this
point has been preparing me for this moment," Murray said. "That’s why I
would say before I come out here with a grateful heart, trying to just
take advantage of every opportunity. I attack every day as that. I
control what I can control. I don’t worry about things that I can’t
control. That really has just been the mindset."

Murray played in just 11 games last year, mainly being used as an inside
linebacker, but did receive limited opportunities to rush the passer of
the edge.

The Chargers are expected to roll out Drue Tranquill and Kyle Van Noy as
the primary linebackers for the Chargers' nickel defense. When
implementing their base personnel, Murray is expected to solidify the
third linebacker role.

“We’re excited to get Kenneth back. I’ve been seeing him in the meetings
going through all of the checks and going through the adjustments there,
and now we get a chance to get him on the field," defensive coordinator
Renaldo Hill said. "It really adds some more depth at that linebacker
position."