Khalil Mack among Chargers’ inactives vs. Bengals on Sunday night
Outside linebacker Khalil Mack (groin) is inactive for the Chargers’ prime-time matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. The star edge rusher was limited to just four snaps in last week’s win over the Tennessee Titans because of the injury he said was unlike anything he’s ever experienced.
He said Thursday he injured the left side of his groin early in a game against the Cleveland Browns. He kept playing and then later pulled the right side while trying to rush the passer. He then sat down on the bench late in the fourth quarter. Mack has not practiced in the last two weeks, but said Thursday he hoped he could play Sunday because he wants to help take the load off his edge rushing teammates Tuli Tuipulotu and Bud Dupree.
“If I could go, I’m gonna be out there,” Mack said. “I know Tuli was still on special teams and all those different things. So I was trying to do my best to be a good teammate.”
Despite Mack and fellow starting edge rusher Joey Bosa dealing with an injury, Tuipulotu and Dupree have helped the pass rush break through for 13 sacks in the past two games. Tuipulotu has 4½ sacks in the past two games and 5½ in the last three games after beginning the season with a six-game sackless streak.
Bosa, who has been on a snap count of about 20-30 since injuring his hip in Week 3, said Friday he could increase his workload to more than 30 against the Bengals after his best week of practice in months.
Receiver D.J. Chark Jr., who had just one offensive snap last week in a quiet, long-awaited season debut after dealing with hip and groin injuries, is also inactive. He was not on the injury report this week.
Tight end Hayden Hurst, running back Kimani Vidal, offensive linemen Brenden Jaimes and Jordan McFaddan and quarterback Easton Stick round out the inactive list for the Chargers. Here are the inactives for the Bengals:
Chargers take Jim Harbaugh’s sometimes comical words very seriously
Eyebrows raise. Eyes dart back and forth. Heads cock to the side.
When Jim Harbaugh starts talking, Chargers players never quite know how to react.
“It’s like a really fun wild roller coaster,” quarterback Taylor Heinicke said, “that comes with a cool ending.”
Just like Justin Herbert’s play, the Sheldon High fishing club is ‘thriving’
Justin Herbert is still beloved in his hometown of Eugene, Ore. The feeling is mutual for the quarterback who starred in three sports at Sheldon High before he won the Rose Bowl at Oregon and became NFL star with the Chargers.
The quarterback is still repping his hometown roots, sporting an “Irish Fishing Club” T-shirt during his news conference after last week’s win over the Tennessee Titans.
Now Scott Wright’s phone won’t stop buzzing with students asking the fishing club adviser for the same shirt.
“It’s the biggest thing in the world around here because everyone wants to be a part of something that Justin’s a part of,” said Wright, a longtime football and baseball assistant coach who coached Herbert in both sports.
A decade after Herbert helped found the fishing club, it is “thriving,” Wright said, in part because of the 26-year-old’s continued support. The quarterback who signed a $262-million contract extension last year covers costs for students who need assistance purchasing a fishing license or equipment.
“He’s given back, so it’s just a neat thing,” Wright said. “We love it. We kind of take pride in the lakes and rivers and the outdoor stuff out here in the Pacific Northwest.”
Herbert’s exceptional play in recent weeks has provided a positive platform for the fishing club’s moment in the spotlight. The quarterback has the Chargers (6-3) on a three-game winning streak entering Sunday night’s prime-time matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals. Herbert has notched a passer rating better than 90.0 in nine straight games.
Since returning from the off week, which allowed him to rest his sprained ankle, Herbert has averaged 256.2 yards passing while completing 66.7% of his attempts. He has six passing touchdowns and one rushing score to no passes intercepted.
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Kristian Fulton is back to try to save Chargers from one of his best friends
They call him the best receiver in the NFL. They say he’s always open. Whatever praise has been heaped upon Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase, Chargers cornerback Kristian Fulton already has heard — and seen — it firsthand.
The childhood friends, high school teammates and national champions at Louisiana State will line up against each other Sunday at SoFi Stadium as the Chargers host the Cincinnati Bengals in a prime-time game.
Hernández: Chargers can celebrate, but you can’t crown them overnight contenders yet
Jim Harbaugh previously had said he would never use the word “satisfied” when talking about football.
In that case, where did the first-year coach think the Chargers had to improve, especially when considering the caliber of teams they will play over the next five weeks?
Harbaugh’s team had just claimed a 27-17 victory over the Tennessee Titans at SoFi Stadium on Sunday to improve to 6-3. They remained the only team in the NFL to hold each of its opponents to 20 points or less.
‘Healthier’ win over Titans sets up challenging run of games, starting with Bengals
The Chargers picked up a third consecutive win Sunday, overpowering the Tennessee Titans 27-17.
What we learned:
A November to remember
The Chargers’ six wins all have come against teams with records of .500 or less. They had no trouble shutting down offenses led by rookie quarterbacks still adjusting to the NFL or journeyman veterans. Many still look at the NFL’s top-ranked scoring defense with a skeptical eye.
Chargers vs. Cincinnati Bengals: How to watch, predictions and betting odds
The Cincinnati Bengals carved up the Baltimore Ravens for 470 yards last week. Ja’Marr Chase caught three touchdown passes. Joe Burrow had season highs in completions, passing attempts and yards passing.
What did Jesse Minter think when he turned on the tape to see that kind of performance?
The deep sigh the Chargers defensive coordinator released to begin his answer said more than any of the words that followed.