The Chargers are getting back a couple of key defenders for a Week 7 showdown with the Colts. The team announced that it has activated outside linebacker Khalil Mack and linebacker Denzel Perryman from injured reserve.
The Chargers have gone without Mack since he dislocated his elbow in a Week 2 win over the Raiders. He’ll return after sitting out the minimum of four games. The injury was a rare late-career setback for the nine-time Pro Bowler, who missed just one game during his first three years as a Charger.
A few weeks after Mack went down, the Chargers acquired OLB Odafe Oweh from the Ravens. Mack will now team with him for the first time and rejoin Tuli Tuipulotu and Bud Dupree to form a strong group of pass rushers. Despite Mack’s absence, the Chargers are tied for sixth in the league in sacks (16).
Perryman has barely been a factor this year after suffering a high ankle sprain in the Chargers’ season-opening win against the Chiefs. The 32-year-old played just eight defensive snaps in that game. Perryman has dealt with a laundry list of injuries throughout his career and never played more than 15 games in a season. Fortunately for the Chargers, they have a capable fallback option in Troy Dye, who worked as a starter alongside Daiyan Henley during Perryman’s IR stint. Dye has racked up 42 tackles and a sack while logging a 72.4% snap share.
Along with welcoming back Mack and Perryman, the Chargers made a few other moves on Saturday. They waived OLB Caleb Murphy, signed long snapper Rick Lovato to the practice squad and elevated him for Week 7, and elevated running back Nyheim Miller-Hines from the P-squad.