The Los Angeles Chargers gave injury updates on two key players on Wednesday, with one on left tackle Joe Alt and the other on edge rusher Khalil Mack.
Alt has been battling a high-ankle sprain he suffered in Week 4 and has missed the past two games as a result. Meanwhile, Mack has been on injured reserve since coming down with an elbow injury in Week 2.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh said that Alt would not return to practice Wednesday, which keeps him on track to sit out another week. Harbaugh provided the same update for Trey Pipkins (knee).
"Joe Alt (ankle) and Trey Pipkins (knee) will not practice today, per Jim Harbaugh," The Athletic's Daniel Popper relayed.
As for Mack, who is eligible to come off injured reserve this week, the Chargers are opening his 21-day window to be activated to the 53-man roster and the veteran is taking part in practice on Wednesday.
"Chargers will be opening the activation window for Khalil Mack, per Jim Harbaugh. Mack will practice today in some capacity," Popper reported.
While Mack has been designated to return, it doesn't guarantee he'll play this week. That said, any semblance of practice participation to start the week gives Mack a shot to play.
The Alt update is extremely disappointing but not unexpected given the fact that the timeline for a high-ankle sprain can be anywhere from three to six weeks, depending on severity.
The Chargers can't rush Alt but do need him back as quickly as possible.
Justin Herbert has been getting beat up behind the Chargers' suspect offensive line that is also missing Rashawn Slater to a season-ending injury. Herbert has been sacked 18 times, tied for the fifth-most in the NFL.
With Pipkins and Alt sidelined last week, the Chargers deployed Austin Deculus at left tackle and Bobby Hart at right tackle. The bookends combined for five pressures (Deculus had four) and two QB hits but no sacks.
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