Khalil

Mack

Mack “played” last week after being listed as questionable, though he was only on the field for four snaps and did not record a stat of any kind. He did not practice once leading up to Sunday and was on the same practice regimen this week. We expect him to suit up once again, though the risk of another single-digit snap count should have IDP managers looking elsewhere.

Mack played through the groin issue last week but was barely on the field, logging four snaps on defense with no other stats to his name. He was listed as questionable for the contest after being held out of all three practice sessions. Mack will need to get in at least a limited session before we can count on him a anything other than an emergency option. The stud EDGE has 4.5 sacks and five TFLs this year.

Mack did not practice at all this week but he is the type of established veteran who can be trusted to execute his assignments on game day without practicing. Mack is the Chargers’ most productive pass rusher this year. They may opt to preserve his health by shutting him down this week.

Mack leads the Chargers in both quarterback pressures (28) and NFL sacks (4.5) so this injury carries weight, heading into Week 10. Were he to miss this game, it would improve the fantasy-scoring potential of the Titans passing-game components.

Mack entered the offseason with a staggering $38.5 million cap hit for the 2024 season. With Schefter noting that Mack agreed to the restructure, it’s safe to assume he took some sort of pay cut to remain in LA. The Chargers were already cap compliant after cutting Mike Williams and this move now gives them more wiggle room in free agency. It will also clear up space to allow them to sign their incoming rookie class. With Mack in town for another year, the Chargers could look to trade Joey Bosa. The star EDGE is a terror to opposing quarterbacks when healthy but has appeared in just 14 games over the past two seasons. Mack posted one of the best years of his career in 2023, amassing 17 sacks and 21 TFLs while playing in all 17 games.

Mack missed the end of the Bears season with a foot injury, but still notched six sacks in seven games while struggling through it. He appears well on track to be ready for the season. The Chargers D/ST has added a ton of talent this offseason between Mack, J.C. Jackson, and Sebastian Joseph-Day and makes for an interesting sleeper.

That is light trade compensation for someone who remained one of the league’s very best defensive players before his injury-ruined 2021. Not only is Mack not fetching a Day 1 pick, only one of the selections is for this spring. That, obviously, is an indication of a cratered market after Mack battled foot issues before turning 31 last month. The Bolts are at least taking on Mack’s entire salary, which is north of $60 million over the next three seasons. It could be a roaring steal for the Chargers. It signals a top-to-bottom rebuild for a picks-starved Bears just that just flat out is not good right now. That bodes poorly for Justin Fields’ development. As for Mack in L.A., head coach Brandon Staley was adept at moving around his superstar defensive chess pieces with the Rams. Staley also coached Mack in Chicago, so the duo knows each other well. If Mack is healthy, he and Joey Bosa are going to straight up terrorize the AFC West’s superstar quarterbacks.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports the return would be “prime draft pick compensation.” Obviously. Now 31, Mack is signed for three more seasons, but the Bears are not even remotely close to contending. Mack was limited to seven games by a foot injury in 2021. Despite those age and injury concerns, Mack would be a mammoth addition for a Chargers defense that was undermanned last season. Coach Brandon Staley was also adept at playing chess with his defensive studs with the Rams. Stay tuned.

The Bears were hoping that rest would allow Mack to return to action this season, but the star pass rusher ultimately opted for surgery, ending his season. Mack’s loss has been a significant downgrade to the Bears pas rush, and will hurt the Bears’ chances of getting pressure on Lamar Jackson this week. Mack is under contract for three additional seasons with the Bears, so he will return in 2022. Although, he could be playing for a new coaching staff.

Mack will miss a second straight game with a foot injury. There were whispers that the Bears could place their star linebacker on injured reserve, but they have not done so yet, indicating they believe he could be back within the next three weeks. It’s a sizable hit to their pass rush for Week 9, especially considering they’re playing a fairly weak Steelers offensive line.