The Chargers face a massive test Sunday at home against the Colts, who are currently atop the AFC and are tied for the NFL’s best record at 5-1.
The Bolts found a way to squeak out a win Sunday in Miami despite the fact they were undermanned and missing multiple starters.
Could help be on the way in Week 7?
It seems as if Denzel Perryman is trending in the right direction as he was a full practice participant on Thursday and Friday last week. A full week of practice could mean a return for the veteran linebacker, who remains on Injured Reserve with an ankle injury.
It will be intriguing to see if Joe Alt is involved in practice in any way this week.
He hasn’t practiced for two full weeks with an ankle injury but wasn’t placed on Injured Reserve after Week 4, meaning the Chargers likely hope he’d be back before Week 8 against the Vikings.
But with two games in five days coming up, we’ll see where Alt is at.
The big potential return, however, centers around Khalil Mack.
The future Hall of Famer sustained an elbow injury back in Week 2 and is now eligible to return to practice this week after missing the past four games.
We’ll see if Mack is back this week and how much time he’ll need on the practice field to be ready for game action.
Even if it’s in a limited role, Mack’s presence could do wonders for a Chargers defense that has been up and down at times without him.
Obviously, his on-field standard is at a high level but Mack’s leadership on the sideline is vital, too. The latter part of that hasn’t wavered but getting Mack back in the fold on the field would certainly give the unit a boost.
“We love Khalil,” Chargers outside linebackers coach Dylan Roney said recently. “But he’s been around and we’ve called him “Coach Mack.”
“He’s been helping coach the guys and lending his presence and his leadership. Maybe he’s not playing on Sunday but he’s still around the building and he’s doing everything he can to get back,” Roney added. “We miss him, but it’s giving other guys a chance to step up.”