MEXICO CITY, MEXICO – NOVEMBER 18: Melvin Ingram #54 of the Los Angeles Chargers walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday, November 18, 2019, in Mexico City. The Chiefs defeated the Chargers 24-17. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
The Chargers put defensive end Melvin Ingram III on IR.
The Chargers defense will be without another key defensive figured after putting defensive end Melvin Ingram III on IR on Saturday.
Ingram won’t be available for the next three weeks, with a hopeful return in Week 6.
Ingram isn’t the only starter who ended up on IR on Saturday either. The Chargers also sent starting defensive tackle Justin Jones. Backup linebacker Asmar Bilal joined them.
Guard Ryan Groy, linebacker Malik Jefferson and defensive end Jassie Lemonier were promoted to the active roster as a result while safety Jahleel Addae and running back Darius Bradwell were brought up from the practice squad.
Melvin Ingram will miss games against the Panthers, Buccanneers and Saints.
Los Angeles is coming off an overtime loss to Kansas City in their home opener. Sunday will provide the opportunity to notch their first win at SoFi Stadium against the Carolina Panthers.
Of course, those hopes will be complicated by Ingram’s absence.
The ninth-year veteran is coming off three-straight Pro Bowl appearances and produced eight quarterback pressures in the first two weeks of the 2020 season, per Pro Football Focus.
Fortunately, for the Chargers, they do have a viable replacement for Ingram. Uchenna Nwosu will move up into the starting lineup. He has had a strong start to the campaign coming off the bench and will have a big opportunity to show the team his long-term potential.
The trouble for LA is they’re not contending with just one gap to fill on defense. They lost free safety Derwin James before the season even began and linebacker Drue Tranquill is slated to be on IR until Week 8.
The Panthers are sitting at 0-2 but they will be looking to take advantage of the Chargers decimated lineup, which will also be missing quarterback Tyrod Taylor after a scary mishap.