EL SEGUNDO — Chargers outside linebacker Khalil Mack played only 12 of 60 defensive snaps during his return Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts following a four-game stint on injured reserve because of a dislocated left elbow.
It remained to be determined if Mack would play more snaps Thursday night against the Minnesota Vikings at SoFi Stadium.
Mack sounded eager to increase his playing time, but said he was willing to let Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh and the medical staff make the call for him. He was limited to playing primarily on passing downs against the Colts, but he hoped his role could be expanded against the Vikings.
“It was a pretty gruesome thing,” Mack said of his injury, which happened when he collided with Chargers linebacker Troy Dye as they attempted to make a tackle on the last play of the first quarter during the Chargers’ Week 2 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sept. 15.
“Just trying to be as smart as possible, but I want to win. I want to win football games.”
The Chargers could use Mack in defending the run as well as the pass Thursday and in the coming weeks. Their defense against the run has been porous, to say the least, in the past three games. Mack, who is renowned for his elite pass rushing ability, also is a destroyer of running plays.
Jonathan Taylor of the Colts rushed for 94 yards and three touchdowns on Sunday. De’Von Achane of the Miami Dolphins had 128 yards and two touchdowns Oct. 12 and Jacory Croskey-Merritt of the Washington Commanders ran for 111 yards and two touchdowns Oct. 5.
The Chargers gave up only 17.7 points per game last season, best in the NFL in their first season with Harbaugh as their coach. They haven’t been anywhere near that average during the past three games, giving up 38 points to the Colts and 27 to each the Dolphins and Commanders.
“I love football, I want to play first down, second down, third down, fourth down – all the downs,” Mack said of playing more snaps in more situations Thursday against the Vikings, especially in light of the Chargers’ defensive struggles.. “At this point, we’ve got to be smart about where I’m at.”
WENTZ AT QB
Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell announced that Carson Wentz would start at quarterback Thursday, solving one minor mystery for the Chargers’ coaching staff. Wentz completed 26 of 42 passes for 313 yards with two interceptions in Minnesota’s loss Sunday to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Jesse Minter, the Chargers’ defensive coordinator, said they were prepared to face Wentz and J.J. McCarthy. O’Connell said McCarthy would be the emergency No. 3 quarterback as he continues to recover from a sprained ankle. Max Brosmer will serve as the backup to Wentz.
EXTRA POINTS
The Chargers placed defensive lineman Otito Ogbonnia on injured reserve because of an elbow injury he sustained during their loss Sunday to the Colts. Ogbonnia will be sidelined for at least the next four games, eligible to return to the active roster after the bye week in Week 12. …
Running back Hassan Haskins was not on the field during the brief portion of practice open to reporters. He played in short-yardage situations and to give Kamani Vidal a break. Haskins injured his hamstring during the game against the Colts. He and Ogbonnia were the only players who didn’t participate. …
Long snapper Rick Lovato was signed to the active roster. The Chargers also signed running back Trayveon Williams to the practice squad, bolstering their depth at the position with Najee Harris out for the season because of an Achilles injury and Omarion Hampton sidelined by an ankle ailment.