Stephen Nicholas and Sean Weatherspoon Will Miss First Part of OTAs

OTAs aren't exactly make or break practices, but it's nice when your best players are present. It appears our two best linebackers won't be available for the first part of OTAs.

[Stephen] Nicholas, who led the team with 116 tackles last season, had sports hernia surgery. [Sean] Weatherspoon, who had 114 tackles, had arthroscopic knee surgery.

Both surgeries are considered minor by the team and Nicholas and Weatherspoon are expected back by the end of OTA practices in June and definitely by the team’s mandatory minicamp that’s set for June 18 through 20.

We knew about these injuries and we knew about these surgeries, so this isn't exactly breaking news. This was sort of a foregone conclusion really, though it was possible that one or both men would be good-to-go by now. To be frank, there's not a better time for them to take the time they need. It's a long, physically demanding season. Ideally they are fully cleared by training camp. There's just no need to rush it.

Really it's not problematic from their perspective. Both players are seasoned veterans, and both players have a season of Mike Nolan defense under their belts. Stansly Maponga is also missing the first part of OTAs, and honestly, that's potentially problematic, but by no means fatal for the young TCU alum.

Your thoughts?