SAN DIEGO » Manti Te’o’s features grew taut as he pounded his meaty fists and pawed at the artificial turf, something he’d done hundreds of times before in preparation for a crucial fourth-down defensive stand.

Only this time it was different.

Instead of being in the middle of things at linebacker for the San Diego Chargers, the rookie from Notre Dame was on the sidelines and out of uniform much as his actions said he wanted to be in the thick of it. Not by choice was he an onlooker and, officially, one of the "inactives" on the roster, the result of what has been described as a sprain of his right foot suffered in the Chargers’ first preseason game on Aug. 8.

Like millions of people in America, Te’o was a viewer to Monday Night Football, not a participant. One of 59,522 at Qualcomm Stadium who watched the Chargers blow a 28-7 third-quarter lead and lose to Houston, 31-28.

Unlike them, however, he is a man with so much to prove and someone in a hurry to do it.

He is the celebrated second-round draft pick trying to put an uncharacteristic Bowl Championship Series performance and a soap opera of an offseason behind him by playing the kind of bruising, instinctive football that made him a Heisman Trophy runner-up. The North Shore native wears No. 50 to make his home state proud and chafes at not being able to do it from the opening gun.

"He’s going to help us win a championship here," coach Mike McCoy said. Mel Kiper Jr. marked Te’o as one of his "rookies in the best position to succeed."

"It has been hard on him being on the sidelines after working so hard, wanting it so much and then having the injury," said his replacement, Bront Bird, who this time last year was running a wastewater treatment plant in North Carolina. "But he’s been a great teammate and supported me."

The Chargers’ season opened and Te’o spent it walking up and down the sideline in a blue and white sweatsuit. He exhorted teammates, slapped them on their shoulder pads and raised his arm in exultation at big plays. One time he pounded his right foot, which up until a week ago was in a boot during practice.

"When the team needs a big stop, I get as excited (on the sideline) as I would when I’m on the field," Te’o said. "If you love football the way I do, you want to be out there. You want to do everything you can to help your team. That’s what it is all about. But it is difficult not being out there and being able to play the game you love."

Of all the things people imagined Te’o might have trouble adjusting to in the NFL, being a sideline observer was something nobody saw coming. Not right away, at least.

I mean, Te’o was Notre Dame’s ironman, not only appearing in all 51 games of his four-year Fighting Irish career but playing the vast majority of the minutes in them. Only late in routs was he an observer.

Not since he was a junior at Punahou School has he missed a football game, something Te’o said has taken some getting used to.

It was a disappointment not only for the eight members of the Te’o family who made the trip, but for people like Romy Urbina of Kalihi, who came attired in Teo’s No. 50 replica jersey.

"I just heard about (Te’o not playing) when I was on the plane," Urbina said. "His father was on the flight and told me, ‘Oh, he’s not playing.’ "

Bob Gillespie and his son, Jayden, of San Diego, ordered their Te’o jerseys as soon as he was drafted by the Chargers in April. "We waited to see him play, but what can you say?" Gillespie said. "Injuries are a part of football. It’s a long season and we want him to be at his best."

So, too, do the Chargers, who have gone three years without making the postseason.

"I can’t wait until we get him back," Dwight Freeney said. "He’s worked so hard. The people need to see Manti."

Te’o said, "Soon. Soon, I hope."

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Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@staradvertiser.com or 529-4820.