Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Melvin Ingram was again present at practice but did not participate for reasons that appear to be related to his contract.
Coach Anthony Lynn said Friday it was "company business" that was keeping Ingram from working out with his teammates. Lynn refused to elaborate then and did so again Monday.
"I'm just gonna leave it at that because I don't have to talk about it right now, you know what I mean?" he said. "Gotta lot of other things I gotta get done, and I don't really want to spend a lot of time talking about that."
Lynn explained that Ingram has been involved in meetings and walk-throughs. Uchenna Nwosu replaced Ingram on the first-team defense Monday.
Ingram, 31 and in his ninth year, remains on the active roster, suggesting he is healthy. If so, his inactivity likely is contract-centered as he is entering the final season of a four-year, $64 million deal.
By not reporting to camp and holding out in the traditional sense, Ingram would be subject to a daily fine of $50,000. Under the NFL's new collective bargaining agreement, those penalties can not be waived as had been the case previously.
That rule change was thought to make it unlikely that veterans would attempt to hold out in the future.
Running back Melvin Gordon missed training camp and the preseason last year and didn't report until late September while seeking a new contract. That deal never happened, and Gordon departed for Denver as a free agent in March.
The Chargers extended the contract of their other starting defensive end, Joey Bosa, this month. Bosa agreed to a five-year, $135 million contract, making him the league's highest-paid defensive player ever.
Along with Ingram, the team's other potential unrestricted free agents after this season include wide receiver Keenan Allen, tight end Hunter Henry, center Mike Pouncey and defensive back Desmond King.
Asked Monday if he'd like a new deal before the season began, Allen didn't hesitate.
"That would be nice," he said, "but I ain't tripping."
