Chargers’ pass rushers Khalil Mack, Joey Bosa regaining health at right time
EL SEGUNDO — One of the most astute moves the Chargers’ previous regime made was to acquire outside linebacker Khalil Mack from the Chicago Bears on March 10, 2022, and pair him with Joey Bosa, a teaming of multiple Pro Bowl selections who could menace opposing quarterbacks for seasons to come.
Funny thing.
The trade hasn’t panned out as envisioned by former general manager Tom Telesco. Not that Mack hasn’t performed to expectations because he has without question, earning his seventh and eighth Pro Bowl selections. Not that Bosa hasn’t performed to expectations because he has, but with a caveat.
Injuries to Bosa have undermined their pairing, preventing them from achieving the consistent one-two punch that was expected of them. Bosa played only five games during the 2022 season and only nine last season because of injuries. The last of his four Pro Bowl selections came during the 2021 season.
Another funny thing.
Bosa has regained his health, recovering from a hip injury, just as Mack suffered a groin injury and was sidelined last week for the first time in his Chargers tenure. Bosa dropped off the Chargers’ injury report Friday and is set to go Monday night against the Baltimore Ravens.
Mack was listed as questionable.
At some point, sooner or later, they’ll both be at something resembling 100%
“This is why we’re both here,” Mack said of teaming with Bosa for the season’s final seven games and perhaps more. “To put it on the film, and go out and have an impact in the game, both he and I and Tuli and Bud and all the guys, it’s going to be special, man. I just look forward to putting it on film and not really talking too much about it, and going out and playing and getting a win.”
Mack referred to Tuli Tuipulotu and Bud Dupree, his fellow outside linebackers.
“All I’m concerned about is getting a win,” Mack said.
The Chargers (7-3) have won four consecutive games, their longest streak since the final weeks of the 2022 season when they rallied for a playoff berth only to collapse in epic fashion 31-30 to the Jacksonville Jaguars in an AFC wild-card game. They last won five in a row in 2018, en route to a 12-4 record.
Mack said he expected to play Monday against Baltimore, but couldn’t say if he would be on a snap count, as Bosa was until he played 55 out of 82 defensive snaps during the Chargers’ 34-27 victory this past Sunday over the Cincinnati Bengals, up from roughly 20 snaps for the previous three games.
In addition, Mack said it took a great deal of convincing to keep him on the sideline for the game against the Bengals. Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter and the Chargers’ athletic training staff ultimately swayed him even as he felt he would be letting his teammates down against Cincinnati.
Now, it might take a court order to keep Mack from playing on Monday.
“Man, that might have been the hardest thing I’ve ever done, just standing on the sidelines,” Mack said. “I was trying to do as much coaching as I could. That was as nerve-wracking as (an expletive) just sitting on the sideline watching it all unfold and not being able to go out and help in any kind of way.
“It was great we got the win, which is all that matters.”
INJURY REPORT
The Chargers ruled out tight end Hayden Hurst (hip) and linebacker Denzel Perryman (groin) for Monday’s game because of injuries. Mack, outside linebacker Bud Dupree (foot), safety AJ Finley (ankle), cornerback Cam Hart (concussion/ankle), defensive back Deane Leonard (hamstring) and wide receiver Ladd McConkey (shoulder) were listed as questionable to play.