EL SEGUNDO — If outside linebacker Khalil Mack sits out Sunday night’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals because of a groin injury, or even if he plays only a handful of snaps, the Chargers’ pass rushers will still be a formidable group, capable of seizing control of a game at any moment.
The Chargers on Friday listed Mack as questionable to play.
No position is as deep or as skilled from top to bottom as the Chargers’ outside linebackers. No question, Mack is the leader of the group, an eight-time Pro Bowl selection playing his third season with the Chargers and his 11th in the NFL after stops with the then-Oakland Raiders and the Chicago Bears.
The Chargers acquired Mack from the Bears to pair him with Joey Bosa, a four-time Pro Bowl selection. But they didn’t stop adding pieces. They drafted Tuli Tuipulotu out of USC in the second round of the 2023 draft. They also signed veteran Bud Dupree as a free agent.
As a result, the Chargers have punished opposing offensive lines and quarterbacks this season, especially recently. They have recorded 18 sacks over the past three games, including seven in their 27-17 victory Sunday over the Tennessee Titans, when Mack was listed as questionable and played a grand total of four snaps.
Mack injured the left side of his groin early in the Chargers’ 27-10 victory Nov. 3 over the Cleveland Browns. He said he tried to play through it, but ended up hurting the right side while overcompensating later in the game. He limped to the bench late in the game and sat alone as the final minutes ticked past.
“One day at a time,” Mack said of his status for Sunday.
“Nah, not like this,” he said when asked if he’s had a similar injury in the past.
“It’s unique,” he added of tweaking both sides of his groin.
The plan is to “not want to deal with it for the rest of the season.”
Given the depth at Mack’s position, you might think he would be content to sit out Sunday’s game and continue his recovery for the season’s stretch run, what with the Chargers in a solid playoff spot with a 6-3 record and a second-place standing behind the Kansas City Chiefs (9-0) in the AFC West.
Mack acknowledged the standout play of his teammates, especially Tuipulotu, but he also said he believed he would be letting them down if he wasn’t on the field with them to face the Bengals (4-6). Mack hasn’t missed a game since the Chargers acquired him from the Bears before the 2022 season.
“Hell, no,” he said of the notion of sitting out a game, prompting laughter from a gaggle of reporters surrounding him the other day. “No thought like that ever crossed my mind. That’s why I gave it a go on Sunday (against the Titans). So, yeah, I’m always, yeah, if I feel like I can go, I’m going to go.
“Just want to be there for them (fellow pass rushers Bosa, Dupree and Tuipulotu) and take some reps off them, you know what I mean? Just trying to be smart about it, but understanding them dudes, they can handle it. They can handle it. They can handle the work load while I’m away.”
Of Tuipulotu’s play, Mack said, “You talk about growth, he’s the poster child for that word. Just everything you mention to him, you see him apply to his game. Yeah, the growth is tremendous, not only playing defensively, but playing on special teams and playing the most reps out of the whole edge room, it’s truly special.”
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INJURY REPORT
Mack and defensive back Deane Leonard (hamstring) were listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Bengals. Mack did not participate in Friday’s practice. Leonard, who is in the 21-day practice window to return from injured reserve, was described as a limited participant.
Running back J.K. Dobbins, who was given Wednesday and Thursday off from practice to rest, rejoined his teammates for Friday’s practice. Dobbins is 10th in the NFL in rushing with 670 yards and on pace to become the first Chargers rusher with 1,000 yards or more since Melvin Gordon in 2017.