Khalil

Mack

Haskins will rotate in behind RB Kimani Vidal, who out-touched Haskins 21-7 last week. Vidal is an RB2 for the occasion, while Haskins is a touchdown-dependent FLEX. The big-bodied running back was added to the injury report with a chest injury on Friday, but practiced in full that day. The Chargers declared LT Joe Alt (ankle), RT Trey Pipkins III (knee), S Elijah Molden, LB Troy Dye, WR KeAndre Lambert Smith, EDGE Kyle Kennard and CB Nikko Reed inactive for Week 7 against the Colts. Chargers OLB Khalil Mack (elbow) and LB Denzel Perryman (ankle) will play.

The Chargers get a solid boost to the interior of their defense ahead of a showdown against the Colts in Week 7, with both linebackers making their return from injured reserve. It’s a slight downgrade to the rushing matchup for Jonathan Taylor and we could see the Los Angeles defense generate more organic pressure on quarterback Daniel jones.

Mack was limited all week. If he is active, it would be unsurprising to see him used as a situational pass rusher. The team could keep him sidelined for one more week, just to be safe, though. Chargers LT Joe Alt (ankle) is listed as doubtful to play after practicing in a limited capacity twice, and RT Trey Pipkins III (knee) has been ruled out. He did not practice this week.

Mack will practice today, per Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh. The veteran pass rusher ranks third among Chargers defenders in pass-rush win rate (12.5 percent) while also grading out as the third-best player (69.0 PFF pass-rush grade). Unfortunately, OTs Joe Alt (ankle) and Trey Pipkins III (knee) will not practice today.

Per Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh, the injury is not considered season-ending, so Mack’s will miss at least the next four games before being eligible to return. Mack suffered a dislocated elbow in the Chargers’ Week 2 win over the Raiders. The veteran pass rusher has totaled one tackle, four quarterback pressures and one sack this season.

Mack appeared to suffer a serious arm injury during Monday night’s win over the Raiders, and after evaluation, he should be able to avoid surgery and return to the LA lineup in October. It’s great news for a Chargers defense that has allowed the third lowest success rate to opposing offenses through two weeks, generating consistent pressure on enemy quarterbacks. Mack has one sack and two QB hits over the season’s first two games.

Mack underwent imaging on his elbow, and the results of that testing hasn’t been made public. The 34-year-old defender seems unlikely to be ready to go against the Broncos in Week 3.

Mack headed to the locker room while holding his arm and exiting the contest, and he’ll undergo imaging to determine if there’s any structural damage. The 34-year-old’s status for the remainder of the game — and potentially the coming weeks — should be updated shortly.

Observing Herbert’s connection with his recently revamped receiving corps will be worthwhile for fantasy managers. Keenan Allen’s return to the lineup could have a fantasy-unfriendly effect on players like Quentin Johnston, Tre’ Harris and KeAndre Lambert-Smith. Derwin James and Khalil Mack are the only two starters who will not play.

It’s a fully-guaranteed deal for Mack, who turned 34 earlier this offseason and is coming off a six-sack season. His six sacks tied for the second-lowest total in his career, but Mack still proved to be highly effective when on the field. Amongst qualified EDGE rushers, Mack’s 90.2 defensive grade, per PFF, ranked fourth highest, while his 88.0 run defense grade was good for second. His 49 pressures were tied for 26th-most at the position. It’s a good deal for Mack given the drop in his raw numbers, and it gives the Chargers a reliable pass rusher after they released Joey Bosa last week.