If you’ve been holding your breath and preparing for the worst since Khalil Mack left Monday night’s game against the Raiders, it’s not time to take a collective sigh of relief.
Per NFL insider Ian Rapoport, Mack is only expected to miss “a few weeks” with a dislocate elbow. Let me repeat that: Mack’s injury is not season-ending and he will be back within the next few weeks.
Mack began the game against the team that drafted him just the way you’d expect. He was stout at the point of attack and even managed to notch his first sack of the season before being sidelined. Without him, the Chargers are going to be in a tough spot in regards to their edge rusher group. In the short-term, Bud Dupree is likely getting the start opposite Tuli Tuipulotu with Caleb Murphy as the third man in. With Mack gone, fourth-round rookie Kyle Kennard could also see his first real game snaps after being inactive during the team’s first two games of the season.
If the Chargers believe they can get by the next month of games without him (vs. Broncos, @ Giants, vs. Commanders, @ Dolphins), then maybe we won’t see them make a bold move to add a veteran currently on another team. Knowing how this staff likes to do it, they’ll likely promote from within and support their guys currently on the roster to make sure they’re going to be up for the challenge.
