The Los Angeles Chargers will be without their top edge rusher for at least four weeks.
Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh announced Wednesday the team will place Khalil Mack on injured reserve due to an elbow injury.
Mack dislocated his elbow during the first quarter of the Chargers’ 20-9 Week 2 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Mack’s arm bent awkwardly when he attempted to tackle Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker.
The edge rusher clutched his elbow immediately after the play and went into the team’s blue medical tent. He was eventually escorted to the team’s locker room.
Mack was seen on the sideline during the second half with his arm in a sling and had the same arm protected with a sling in the postgame locker room.
Mack’s injury is a big loss for the Chargers, but the silver lining is he won’t miss the remainder of the regular season.
Tuli Tuipulotu and Bud Dupree are expected to be Los Angeles’ top two outside linebackers while Mack recovers from his elbow injury. Caleb Murphy and rookie Kyle Kennard, who’s been inactive through two games, could also see more playing time.
The 2-0 Chargers host the 1-1 Denver Broncos in Week 3.
Mack’s compiled 108.5 career sacks, including 32 sacks in 52 career games with the Chargers. He won NFL Defensive Player of the Year as a member of the Raiders in 2016. He’s been elected to the Pro Bowl nine times.
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