All-Pro outside linebacker Khalil Mack will be sidelined for only a few weeks, avoiding a long-term layoff after suffering a dislocated left elbow during the Chargers’ 20-9 victory Monday night over the Las Vegas Raiders, according to an NFL Network report Wednesday morning.
Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh was scheduled to speak with beat reporters later in the day. He said after Monday’s game that he didn’t have any additional information to share about the severity of Mack’s injury except to say he expected Mack to undergo testing later in the week.
Mack was injured while attempting to make a tackle late in the first quarter. He collided with teammate Troy Dye as they closed ranks on Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker after a completion from quarterback Geno Smith near the Chargers’ sideline. Mack’s left arm bent in an unnatural position.
Chargers athletic trainers raced from the sideline to tend to Mack, who then ran from the field clutching his left arm. He retreated to the blue medical tent behind the Chargers’ bench and then departed for the locker room moments later. He returned to the bench later with his arm in a sling.
Mack’s loss could be difficult but not impossible for the Chargers to overcome in the coming weeks. Tuli Tuipulotu has become a forceful pass rusher in his own right since the Chargers drafted him in the second round in 2023. He had five tackles in the Chargers’ victory Monday night.
In addition, veteran edge rusher Bud Dupree replaced Mack for the remainder of the game against the Raiders and is expected to do so again when the Chargers play host to the Denver Broncos on Sunday at SoFi Stadium. Caleb Murphy also will be asked to play an enhanced role.
Mack, 34, sacked Smith earlier in the game to increase his total to 108.5 over his Hall of Fame-caliber, 12-season NFL career. He was a Pro Bowl selection in each of his first three seasons with the Chargers, after spending four seasons each with the then-Oakland Raiders and the Chicago Bears.
The Chargers signed Mack to a new one-season contract worth a guaranteed $18 million on March 10.
More to come on this story.