The Los Angeles Chargers picked up a crucial Week 2 primetime division road victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, though they endured a massive blow.
Chargers star outside linebacker Khalil Mack suffered an elbow injury in the first quarter of their 20-9 Monday Night Football win against the Raiders. He exited the contest in visible pain after having his arm bent awkwardly. We saw him enter the blue tent before heading to the locker room, foreshadowing the eventual "out" designation.
Availability hasn't been a problem for Mack during his time with the Chargers, but it could be now. He's set to undergo imaging, yet the tea leaves suggest the team may be bracing for an extended absence.
Filling the void of a player of Mack's caliber, let alone replacing him outright, will be a tall task for the Bolts. However, it would've been an easier challenge had they adequately succeeded ex-franchise cornerstone Joey Bosa, who's currently thriving with the 2-0 Buffalo Bills.
Chargers not replacing Joey Bosa looks worse after Khalil Mack injury
Bosa, 30, was a cap casualty this past offseason. Los Angeles saved over $25 million by releasing the once-longest-tenured Charger, which was effectively to create enough space to re-sign his former book end pass-rush partner (Mack). Suddenly, they find themselves without either and an uninspiring group of alternatives.
Los Angeles' only addition to the edge rusher room in the wake of cutting Bosa was spending a fourth-round pick Kyle Kennard. The rookie was a healthy scratch for a second straight game in their defeat of the Raiders, indicating he hasn't earned the coaching staff's trust. Mack's presence has masked what might be a glaring concern moving forward.
While Bosa has gotten off to a strong start in his inaugural campaign with the Bills, parting ways with him isn't the Chargers' issue. Los Angeles' investment in (or lack or thereof) giving Mack a sufficient running mate is what has fans rightfully worried. The current AFC West leaders are severely shorthanded at one of the most important positions in football.
It didn't take long for the Chargers to downgrade Mack from questionable to removing him from the lineup in Las Vegas entirely. He was later spotted on the sidelines wearing a sling and not in full uniform, confirming the future Hall of Famer's evening was over. The circumstances hint at something much worse, and if his official diagnosis is bad as initially feared, Los Angeles' rest-of-season outlook takes a major hit.