The Los Angeles Chargers’ Monday night matchup against the Raiders took a troubling turn when star pass rusher Khalil Mack exited in the first quarter with a wrist injury. Mack’s arm twisted awkwardly on the final play of the period, and though he left the field under his own power, he was quickly carted off for imaging. By halftime, he was out of his jersey, his left arm supported by a sling — never a good sign for a player who has long been the heartbeat of the defense.
At age 34, Mack is playing on a one-year, $18 million contract. He already made an impact against Geno Smith with a sack before leaving, but if the injury proves serious, his season — and potentially his Chargers career — could be over.
The ripple effects are significant. Los Angeles went without Otito Ogbonnia and rookie Kyle Kennard against the Raiders, thinning a defensive front that will now lean more heavily on Bud Dupree, Tuli Tuipulotu, Da’Shawn Hand, and rotational pieces like Teair Tart. Head coach Jim Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Jesse Minter may not have the luxury of standing pat. If Mack’s absence stretches into weeks or months, free agency looms as a necessary safety net.
Here are four veterans the Chargers should consider if the news comes back as the worst-case scenario:
1. Preston Smith
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It’s surprising that Preston Smith is still unsigned this deep into the season. The former Packers standout has long been one of the NFL’s most consistent edge defenders, combining size and length with the ability to set the edge and generate steady pressure. Smith logged multiple 8+ sack seasons in Green Bay and, at 31, still offers the kind of experience that could stabilize a rotation suddenly without its leader.
2. DeMarcus Walker
DeMarcus Walker became a surprise cap casualty for the Bears in February, just one year removed from posting 47 tackles, 16 quarterback hits, and 3.5 sacks. At 29, Walker is a versatile option who can play both inside and outside, giving the Chargers flexibility in how they deploy him. While he won’t consistently win one-on-one matchups the way Mack does, Walker’s motor and ability to eat snaps would be invaluable for a defense that can’t afford to overextend its young players.
3. Carl Lawson
Once among the league’s most feared edge disruptors, Carl Lawson has had his career slowed by injuries, including a 2021 Achilles tear. Still, the 30-year-old showed last season in Dallas that he can be an effective rotational rusher, logging five sacks and 15 quarterback hits in just three starts. Lawson may not be an every-down force anymore, but he could bring situational pass-rushing juice on a one-year deal, giving the Chargers another veteran presence opposite Joey Bosa.
4. Yannick Ngakoue
If the Chargers want a proven pass rusher with immediate sack production upside, Yannick Ngakoue is the most intriguing name on the market. The 30-year-old has played for multiple teams since leaving the Raiders, but he’s never lost his knack for rushing the passer. His last double-digit sack season came in Las Vegas back in 2021, and his speed off the edge remains a weapon.
Ngakoue isn’t known for his run defense, but Los Angeles may not need him to be a three-down player. In a rotation with Bosa, Tuipulotu, and Dupree, he could be deployed in obvious passing situations where his explosiveness creates pressure. For a Chargers defense suddenly desperate to replace Mack’s production, Ngakoue could provide an instant impact and a familiar AFC West face to harass opposing quarterbacks.
Final Word
The Chargers’ defense was built around the star power of Mack and Bosa collapsing pockets together. With Mack’s future suddenly in doubt, Los Angeles must weigh whether to trust its depth or bring in veteran reinforcements.
Adding an experienced free agent like Preston Smith, DeMarcus Walker, Carl Lawson, or Yannick Ngakoue won’t erase the loss of Mack, but it could keep the Chargers’ defense afloat while the team fights to stay in the AFC playoff picture.
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