Chargers Camp got off to a rousing start Sunday, but Keenan Allen wasn't satisfied.
While he enjoyed being out there with his brothers, something felt off.
The star wideout had eyed the start of this year's training camp ever since an ACL injured abruptly ended his 2016 campaign only a few snaps into the season opener. KA13 showed marked improvement throughout the offseason program, returning to action quicker than even he anticipated.
Still, there's nothing like the start of training camp.
Unfortunately, Allen didn't feel like his old self on day one.
"(I had) some rust at practice," he admitted. "Practice was a little shaky (with) my first time being back full speed, so I was definitely a little rusty."
Boy, did that all change in a hurry.
Allen snared passes all over the field on day two of Chargers Camp. Time and time again, number 13 found openings in the secondary. He caught several crossing routes deep downfield while showing his trademark quickness at the line of scrimmage.
Capable of catching fire in a hurry, each reception boosted Allen's confidence. Soon enough, he was dancing and jawing with the trademark swagger we've all come to expect.
"I came out more aggressive today," he said. "I refused to be timid. I wasn't thinking about my knee at all. I was conscious that I was being timid yesterday, so today I came out and was just myself."
While the result speaks for itself, Allen isn't getting too far ahead of himself. Just like he didn't get too down over his subpar debut, he plans to stay even-keeled when the Bolts return to action on Tuesday.
"I do have something to prove. But when the time comes, I just go out and play ball. That's all I want to do. I love this game. I love it a lot. That's why I'm still out here after the last two injuries. This is my dream."
KA13 actually credited advice imparted by Kobe Bryant during his surprise appearance over the weekend with giving him perspective. The NBA legend was able to return from a significant injury to compete at an All-Star level, so the wideout clearly was interested in what he had to say.
"He said one thing about his injury when he was coming back, he felt like he did all the things he could do to get back on the field. So once he got back on the field, he wasn't worried about getting injured again…I think (I did the same). I definitely did everything I could do to get back on the field, so I feel great."
The Los Angeles Chargers take the practice field for the second day of Training Camp
