Khalil Mack injury News: Chargers Defense struck with death blow

The worst nightmare of Los Angeles Chargers fans was realized on Monday night when the team lost the services of its star linebacker Khalil Mack to a gruesome arm injury during a game against Raiders. Mack holding his left arm and getting out of the field shocked the stadium-and social media.

The trauma occurred during the final play of the first quarter. When pursuing Raiders receiver Tre Tucker, his arm was caught in a collision with one of his teammates, Troy Dye and it bent in an agonizing position. The veteran instantly reached out and took hold of his forearm and went to the sideline with trainers following behind.

It was a nauseating moment to Chargers fans. Khalil Mack is a star, and he is the heart of the defense. And when Joey Bosa is already gone to Buffalo, losing Mack is like hitting the plug of the whole defensive strategy of the team. Mack was the source of strength and leadership to the season of the program that Coach Jim Harbaugh had based much of the game plan on.

A Shocking Sideline Scene

Khalil Mack was rushed to the medical tent after the injury and then carted off to get scanned. He was taken off to the locker room of the Raiders to make additional assessment in an odd twist by any viewer. The atmosphere in the Chargers bench was not good, and it was evident that the fellow players were shaken.

Khalil Mack has always been considered tough, however, in this case the injury appeared to be serious enough to make even the most optimistic fans quiet. The atmosphere in the stadium was lowered, and it seemed that the game was emptied of air.

The Implication of This to the Chargers

Injuries have already been happening to the Chargers this season as they lost Pro Bowl tackle Rashawn Slater at training camp. Now, their defensive playbook suffers a big blow, in the absence of Mack.

The following are what can be anticipated by the fans during the next few weeks:

• The defensive plans will probably be moved off of the blitz-heavy schemes.
• Less experienced and younger players will be exposed to more snaps.
• The morale in the locker room might suffer in the absence of their leader on the field.
• Fans are already speculating as to trades or surprise call ups.

Outlook of the season: Trouble in sight?

Although the severity of the injury that Mack sustained is yet to be determined, preliminary reports indicate that he might have a broken arm, and this would render him out of commission in a long time. That puts the Chargers in a state of scramble, and fantasy football gamers already plummeted the defense of LA en masse.

Nevertheless, there is some ray of hope. Injuries occasionally open up an opening in the line to new talent and younger players will have an opportunity to fill the gap. But do not mistake–to lose Mack is a devastation.

And until, Chargers Nation is left to hold its breath, in the anticipation of information about one of their most valuable stars. One thing is sure the road now got a lot harder.