Bolts OT McNeill says he is fully recovered from knee surgery

San Diego Chargers tackle Marcus McNeill told Sirius XM NFL Radio on Monday that he underwent a minor surgical procedure on his knee in February, but has fully recovered.

McNeill, who joined the radio program on Memorial Day to discuss his upbringing in a military family, signed a five-year contract extension with the Chargers last October and started the final 11 games after a lengthy holdout.

Because last season was uncapped, McNeill was a restricted free agent even though his original four-year contract expired after the 2009 campaign. When he didn't sign his one-year, $3.168 million tender by June 15, the Chargers reduced the amount to 110 percent of his 2009 salary, or $630,000. McNeill sat out training camp and the first two games before signing the tender.

McNeill was a second-round pick by the Chargers in the 2006 NFL Draft out of Auburn, and made the Pro Bowl in his rookie season and 2007. The 6-foot-7, 336-pound veteran has started all 73 games he's appeared in.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Chargers entering final contract talks with LT McNeill

Marcus McNeill expressed his desire for a new contract by holding out from the San Diego Chargers. Now that he has reported to the team and been activated from the roster-exempt list, it appears a deal is near completion.

McNeill, a two-time Pro Bowl left tackle, and the Chargers are expected to go over final negotiating points Tuesday, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported, meaning an agreement likely is close.

Chargers director of public relations Bill Johnston suggested Tuesday that the two sides were close.

"Nearing 5-yr deal for Marcus McNeill," Johnston tweeted. "Team always said to 73 & 83: sign tender, go to work & we'll see how it goes. It went well for Mac."

Chargers general manager A.J. Smith disputed an ESPN report that an agreement had been reached Monday.

"That's not the case," Smith told The Union-Tribune. "If there is something to report, we'll let you know."

McNeill, a restricted free agent this offseason, rejected a one-year, $3.168 million tender offer from the Chargers, then skipped training camp, all four preseason games and the first two regular-season contests. The Chargers reduced their offer to $630,000, then placed the fifth-year pro on the roster-exempt list, meaning he was required to sit out three games after signing the tender.

McNeill signed the tender Sept. 25 and practiced with the team while he couldn't play. The Chargers added him to their active roster Monday and released cornerback Fred Bennett and safety C.J. Spillman.

According to The Union-Tribune, McNeill will work with the first-team offense in practice starting Wednesday and likely will start in Sunday's game at St. Louis.

The Chargers still have one holdout player. Pro Bowl wide receiver Vincent Jackson still hasn't signed his tender, and various reports have linked him to possible trades to the Seattle Seahawks, Minnesota Vikings and New England Patriots.

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