A new slo-mo replay shows Khalil Mack’s elbow bending in a highly disturbing way during the first quarter of Monday Night Football vs. the Las Vegas Raiders. The injury occurred while Mack attempted to tackle wide receiver Tre Tucker when he collided with teammate Troy Dye. His left arm twisted awkwardly, drawing immediate concern.
The Los Angeles Chargers later ruled Mack out of the game with an elbow injury. This marks a significant blow for a defense with playoff and Super Bowl hopes. The moment has fans, analysts, and teammates reeling.
KHALIK MACK’S WHOLE ARM WENT THE WRONG WAY.
💔💔💔
This looks brutal. pic.twitter.com/rOipxyr6bA
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) September 16, 2025
How Khalil Mack’s Injury Could Shift the Chargers’ Edge
Khalil Mack | Credits: X
According to reports, Mack left the field visibly in pain on the final play of the first quarter. His left elbow was heavily wrapped and placed in a sling before he exited. The Chargers officially ruled him out just before halftime. Before the injury, Mack had recorded his first sack of the season, his 108.5th career sack, when he brought down Raiders quarterback Geno Smith. Mack is 34 years old, a nine-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro.
The slo-mo footage makes the injury look especially severe. The clip captures the elbow snapping away from its normal alignment after he was caught between Dye and Tucker. Fans on social media called the moment“hard to watch”, citing the gruesome appearance of the arm bending. The replay has raised bigger concerns beyond just this game. Mack’s absence would weaken the Chargers’ pass-rush and edge defense depth.
Los Angeles already lost offensive tackle Rashawn Slater for the season. Mack’s injury compounds that loss. Backup edge rushers like Bud Dupree, Tuli Tuipulotu, and younger players could see elevated roles if Mack is sidelined. The team now faces uncertainty about how much Mack can recover. Whether this turns into a long-term absence remains to be seen.