Chargers grateful Khalil Mack to miss little time

When Khalil Mack suffered a left elbow injury after colliding with a teammate while tackling the Raiders’ Geno Smith, the priority wasn’t whether or not he’d miss time, but how a lot.

Fortunately for the Chargers, the diagnosis was a dislocated elbow, sidelining him 4 weeks on injured reserve — far better than the season-ending final result many had feared.

“He’s like Wolverine,” coach Jim Harbaugh said, invoking the regenerating “X-Men” character. “One of the toughest things I’ve ever seen. He wasn’t going to sit or lay down on the field. … A new level of respect.”

Mack has been remarkably sturdy in his Chargers tenure, beginning 52 of 53 video games.

Last season, however, he performed through a groin injury, never at full strength. The timing of this setback is particularly irritating, given that the crew had held him out of the preseason to protect him for the common season.

Losing Mack is a vital blow heading into the crew’s third AFC West matchup in three weeks. His impression was evident before leaving Monday’s sport, when he disrupted the Raiders’ offense early, including a key third-down sack.

While Mack’s absence is difficult, the protection seems to be in regular palms. It has already confirmed it might uphold last 12 months’s customary when it completed as the league’s No. 1 scoring protection unit by limiting opponents to 15 factors per sport through two weeks.

The edge rusher group will take on elevated roles in Mack’s absence.

Tuli Tuipulotu, considered by the group as a future star, will anchor the unit alongside veteran Bud Dupree.

Caleb Murphy, primarily a particular teamer, logged a career-high 34 snaps against the Raiders and is anticipated to have a more outlined function. Rookie fourth-round choose Kyle Kennard, still on the observe squad, is also in line for a promotion to give the crew a fourth option.

Harbaugh didn’t rule out the entrance workplace searching for exterior help via commerce or free company, saying, “We’ll look. We’re always looking, and see what the coming days bring.”