EL SEGUNDO — Khalil Mack wasn’t available to speak to reporters after going on injured reserve Thursday because of a dislocated left elbow. He was available to his Chargers teammates, though, standing with them on the field during practice and talking football with them afterward.
Injured players often disappear from view after they get hurt, but Mack’s presence has been difficult to miss this week, starting with his rapid return to the sideline from the locker room after he was hurt on the final play of the first quarter of the Chargers’ 20-9 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday night.
“It’s a tough loss because Khalil is so valuable, so important,” Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter said of the prospect of playing without Mack for at least the next four games while he’s on IR. “(But) when something happens to somebody, it’s an opportunity for someone else.”
To be sure, the Chargers will rely more heavily on Tuli Tuipulotu as their top pass rusher while Mack is sidelined. Bud Dupree will be asked to fill Mack’s spot as the Chargers’ other starting outside linebacker. Tuipulotu and Dupree will be backed by Caleb Murphy and Kyle Kennard.
Judging by recent days, including the second half of the Chargers’ victory over the Raiders, they won’t be left to fend for themselves. Mack intends to be right alongside them, coaching, cheering and making the most of what could be a miserable experience for the nine-time Pro Bowl selection.
“It’s like, ‘How would Khalil want us to play and what would he want our mindset to be?’” Minter said of Mack’s influence over his teammates. “He would not want us to worry one ounce about him and just play the game we know we can play. We’ll really try to honor him, honestly, while he’s out.”
Tuipulotu, in particular, has played so well and matured dramatically since the Chargers drafted him in the second round out of USC in 2023. He once tagged along with Mack and Joey Bosa like a younger brother eager to learn all he could about playing and life in the NFL.
It’s a different story now. He’s a leader rather than a follower.
In fact, Tuipulotu played so well in his first two seasons that the Chargers were willing to part ways with Bosa, who signed with the Buffalo Bills during the offseason. Tuipulotu assumed Bosa’s spot opposite Mack and has been a forceful presence in victories over the Kansas City Chiefs and, especially, the Raiders.
“I thought Tuli played great,” Minter said. ‘He was dominant as a run defender. He had some really good rushes. I do think the sacks will come for him at some point. … Just continue to be him. He doesn’t have to do too much. I have great confidence in him and Bud and it’s an opportunity for Kyle.”
Meanwhile, Mack, 34, intends to embrace a new role while he’s sidelined.
“Coach Mack,” Minter said. “I want to say within 30 minutes (after getting hurt), he was back on the sideline coaching the guys up as they were coming off the field, sitting next to them on the bench, looking at the pictures on the iPad. That is the ultimate team guy. He’s been back in meetings, which is great for our guys just to see how important it is to him. He’ll do whatever he can to help.
“We’re just blessed to have a guy like Khalil.”
EXTRA POINTS
The Chargers signed safety Tony Jefferson to the active roster from the practice squad, filling Mack’s spot on the roster while Mack is on IR. … They also signed outside linebackers Clelin Ferrell and Rashad Weaver to the practice squad to bolster their depth at the position in Mack’s absence.