The Los Angeles Chargers are placing star linebacker Khalil Mack on injured reserve due to a dislocated left elbow and he must miss at least four weeks, coach Jim Harbaugh said Wednesday afternoon.

“He’s going to miss some time … (but) he’s like the Wolverine,” Harbaugh said in referencing the self-healing powers of the fictional character of Marvel comic books and movies. “The rules say four weeks, but we’ll see.”

Mack was hurt on the final play of the first quarter of the 20-9 win over host Loas Vegas on Monday night. Mack’s arm got momentarily stuck against the body of teammate Troy Dye as both players were in pursuit of Raiders wideout Tre Tucker. Mack had his left arm twist awkwardly, and he immediately scurried to the sideline.

He was initially looked at in the medical tent and came out and appeared to be in intense pain. He then was taken from the field. He was ruled out by the Chargers just after he returned to the sideline during the two-minute warning of the first half with his left arm heavily wrapped and sporting a sling.

“He’s a great player, it’s one of the toughest things I’ve ever seen,” Harbaugh said of the injury. “I was staring right at it; he wasn’t going to go sit on the field or lay down on the field.

“He came off the field and I think told Sal (Lopez), one of our trainers, ‘Get out of my way.’ I’ve had an arm injury or two, those are painful,” Harbaugh added. “It’s a new level of respect for the toughness of Khalil Mack … he’s got the power of healing.”

Mack, 34, recorded a sack of Las Vegas quarterback Geno Smith in the opening quarter. It was his first of the season and raised his career count to 108.5.

The nine-time Pro Bowl selection and three-time All-Pro spent his first four NFL seasons with the then-Oakland Raiders (2014-17) and also played four seasons with the Chicago Bears (2018-21). He is in his fourth season with the Chargers.

The Chargers also start Tuli Tuipulotu as an edge rusher and could start veteran Bud Dupree in Mack’s place. Caleb Murphy and rookie Kyle Kennard are listed as reserves on the team depth chart.

“Tuli, he played a heck of game. 52 or 54 snaps, six quarterback pressures, TFL, PBUs. He really played well,” Harbaugh said. “Also thought Bud played well and Caleb Murphy played his most snaps of his career, right around 30s, low 30s and affected the game.

“It’ll be an opportunity for Kyle Kennard,” Harbaugh added. “And (defensive lineman) Justin Eboigbe as well. He had 12 plays on the edge, 12 of his 15 plays were out there and he added real good support, too. Opportunity.”

–Field Level Media

Until Joe Burrow completes surgery for a turf toe injury on his left foot, Cincinnati Bengals coach Zac Taylor intends to hold the door wide open for the quarterback to return.

Reports placed a three-month timeline on Burrow’s return from the Sept. 14 injury. Until surgery is performed, the Bengals only know Burrow will not play the next four games as required by NFL rules for players assigned to injured reserve.

“At least the next four weeks,” Taylor said of Burrow’s known absence. “That’s the best I can give you.”

Taylor said the Bengals “don’t have it yet” when asked if Burrow’s surgery has been scheduled.

Cincinnati (2-0) resumes its schedule without the franchise quarterback at Minnesota (1-1) on Sunday with Jake Browning running the offense. He threw three interceptions but delivered a game-winning drive to defeat the Jaguars, 31-27.

Burrow was officially placed on injured reserve on Tuesday, when Browning shifted into game-plan install mode.

“The physical toll is obviously a lot different. I’ll still voice my opinion (on the game plan) as the 2, but ultimately and rightfully so it’s going to be what Joe wants,” Browning said of what changed this week. “We’ve got a lot of guys who’ve been in this system for a long time. I feel fortunate to be taking over an offense with a lot of weapons.”

–Field Level Media

The Green Bay Packers hit the road for the first time this season in search of their first 3-0 start since 2020 when they meet the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

The Packers (2-0) are coming off a 27-18 victory over the Washington Commanders in the Thursday night game, after opening with a statement-making 27-13 win over defending NFC North champion Detroit.

Cleveland (0-2) lost 41-17 at Baltimore last week after opening with a 17-16 loss to Cincinnati.

The Packers’ defense, bolstered by the acquisition of star edge rusher Micah Parsons from Dallas before the start of the regular season, has been dominant and yet to allow a first-half touchdown.

Green Bay led Washington 17-3 after three quarters before the Commanders connected on a pair of fourth-quarter scoring passes. The Packers kept Detroit out of the end zone until a touchdown pass in the final minute.

The Browns lead the NFL in total defense, allowing 191.5 yards per game, while the Packers are third at 238.0. Green Bay averages 335.0 yards per game total offense, while Cleveland averages 324.5.

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said the “attack front” predicated on penetration is a chore for any offensive line. His anxiety is heightened with right tackle Zach Tom (oblique) and left guard Aaron Banks (groin) less than full strength after missing Week 2.

“They’re going to try to get eight guys in the box. There’s been a lot of ugly runs on tape when going against this defense,” LaFleur said Wednesday.

Parsons gives Green Bay an added dimension off the edge and a test for the Browns, who are still figuring out the pecking order at running back. Quarterback Joe Flacco is tied for the league lead with 90 pass attempts in two games. Green Bay is tied for second in the NFL with eight quarterback sacks.

“He’s one of the purest throwers I’ve ever seen,” said LaFleur. “You’ve got to be really dialed in in terms of your coverage. The big key is going to be get him off the spot, get pressure to him. As I tell our guys, our quarterback or anybody else, it’s hard to throw from your back.”

Flacco was hit nine times at Baltimore last week, when he committed two costly turnovers and buckled under the Ravens’ relentless pass rush.

The Browns finished the game with rookie third-round pick Dillon Gabriel at quarterback, but Flacco is set for this third consecutive start.

“We have to play better for Joe before we make any of those decisions,” Browns left guard Joel Bitonio said of sticking with Flacco.

Bitonio (back) did not practice Wednesday. Right tackle Jack Conklin (elbow), punter Corey Bojorquez (ankle), safety Grant Delpit (back) and defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (knee) were limited. Cornerback Denzel Ward (shoulder) was a full participant.

Cleveland is tied for last in turnover differential at minus-4, while the Packers are plus-1.

“They’re a really talented team. I’ll start with their defense, talent at all three levels,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday. “Bringing over Micah Parsons, bringing a great player to an already great defense. They play very fast.”

The Ravens scored 41 points last week, but Cleveland is controlling the line of scrimmage defensively. The Browns gave up 91 rushing yards on 44 carries (2.1-yard average) and one rushing touchdown through two weeks.

Packers running back Josh Jacobs was limited Wednesday with an ankle injury but it’s not considered serious. He has rushed for 150 yards and two scores this season and owns a TD carry in 10 consecutive games.

Cleveland’s stop-the-run focus highlights Packers quarterback Jordan Love, who leads the league with 12.5 average air yards per pass.

He has completed 66 percent of his passes for 480 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions. Tight end Tucker Kraft has eight catches with two scores. Love has spread the ball around to 11 different receivers and gone nine consecutive games without an interception.

Wide receiver Jayden Reed, who had 55 catches last season and 64 in 2023, had surgeries on his cracked clavicle and a foot injury on Wednesday.

Green Bay has won four straight against Cleveland and six of the last seven meetings.

–Field Level Media

Quarterback Marcus Mariota is preparing to start for the Commanders on Sunday with Jayden Daniels unavailable for Wednesday’s practice.

Daniels threw on the field early Wednesday morning, but coach Dan Quinn said there is a return-to-play checklist he must work through before he’s in the conversation about starting against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.

“He won’t practice today. As we get into Friday, I’ll give you a sense of where we’re at,” Quinn said. “We recognize the importance of the person, the player, what he means to the franchise. We’re also going to be smart, not just fast, in the assessment.

“We’ve talked a little bit about returning to play, but there are position-specific skills for each one.”

Quinn said the Commanders are being cautious with Daniels’ knee because he wants to do “everything all the time.” Quinn said Daniels would need to get back on the field in a team setting — meaning complete one practice — before he’s comfortable playing him Sunday.

Quinn said he would expect Mariota to deliver at the standard he’s set with the franchise as an “elite player and leader.”

The Commanders are comfortable asking Mariota, 31, to make his 75th career regular-season NFL start and first since 2022 with the Falcons. He played in three games for the Commanders last season in relief of Daniels, completing 77.3 percent of his passes for 364 yards with four touchdowns and zero interceptions.

“My routine stays the same,” said Mariota, who is in his second season with Washington. “It just kind of creates that normal procedure for me, and it allows me just to go out there and play and not have to worry about, OK, I got to do this extra, I got to do that. I just kind (of) stick to my process and allow that process to work.”

Mariota prepared to start in place of Daniels in Week 8 of last season, but Daniels (ribs) recovered in time to play. So he’s well aware that Daniels might again be ready by kickoff.

“It comes down to, if you feel like you can do what you normally do, then go ahead,” Mariota said of Daniels. “I’ve been in situations like this where you try to fight through it and maybe you’re not playing like yourself and it is hard. You want to be out there for your team and tough it out. We understand Jayden is going to do everything in his power to play.

“We always tell him, just be you, and if you feel through the course of the week you get back to that point, great. We’ll support you to be ready to roll. If you need a week, that’s OK, I’ll be ready to go, too.”

Daniels appeared to be limping near the end of Washington’s 27-18 loss at Green Bay last Thursday. Despite the ailment, he played the entire game, completing 24 of 42 passes for 200 yards and two touchdowns while being sacked four times.

Daniels, 24, was the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year last season after he was selected second overall by the Commanders. Counting the postseason, he started all 20 games, completing 68.4 percent of his passes for 4,390 yards, 30 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while leading his team to the NFC Championship Game.

In two games this season, Daniels connected on 59.7 percent of his passes for 433 yards and three TDs with no interceptions as the Commanders have gone 1-1.

–Field Level Media

Buffalo Bills linebacker Matt Milano and defensive tackle Ed Oliver will not play Thursday night against the Miami Dolphins, head coach Sean McDermott confirmed Thursday.

Milano is dealing with a pectoral injury, while Oliver is nursing an ankle injury. Neither took part in practice Monday or Tuesday ahead of the home game.

Speaking on WGR550 on Wednesday, McDermott also said it isn’t clear when Milano will be able to return.

“What I’ve been told is it’s too early until they really see how this thing settles in, if you will, or plays itself out in terms of the days following the injury,” McDermott said. “I think that’ll have a direct impact on how long he’s out.”

Defensive backs Taron Johnson (quad) and Cam Lewis (shoulder), as well as linebacker Shaq Thompson (hamstring/hand), all are questionable for the game. They have been limited in practice this week.

Oliver, 27, is in his eighth season since the Bills selected him with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. In 93 career games (84 starts), he has 237 tackles (52 for loss), 73 QB hits, 28 sacks, nine forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

Milano, 31, played in just nine games over the past two seasons, suffering a broken leg in 2023 and torn biceps in 2024.

A fifth-round draft pick by Buffalo in 2017, he has 96 career appearances (80 starts), 513 tackles (60 for loss), 42 QB hits, 10 interceptions, 39 pass breakups, three forced fumbles and 11 fumble recoveries.

The Bills are off to a 2-0 start to the season. The Dolphins are 0-2.

–Field Level Media

The New York Jets will turn to veteran Tyrod Taylor this weekend after ruling out fellow quarterback Justin Fields on Wednesday.

With Fields remaining in the concussion protocol, Taylor will make his first start since 2023 when he goes under center for the Jets (0-2) against the host Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0) on Sunday.

“There’s an element within him that we also have in Justin that I like a lot,” New York head coach Aaron Glenn said of Taylor on Wednesday. “The fact that he’s been in this league for a long time, there’s no coverage, there’s no pressure that he hasn’t seen. So that’s why I have confidence in him. He’s a very studious person, good athlete.”

Fields sustained a concussion on Sunday during New York’s 30-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills. He was injured in the opening minute of the fourth quarter when he was smacked by Buffalo pass rusher Joey Bosa after throwing an incomplete pass. Fields’ head hit the turf as he landed, but he remained in the game for one more play and Bosa sacked Fields, causing a fumble.

The Jets recovered the fumble but then had to punt and turned to Taylor with Fields ruled out.

Taylor, 36, replaced Fields and completed 7 of 11 passes for 56 yards and New York’s lone touchdown. Taylor had 21 yards on three carries.

Selected in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens, Taylor is in his second season with the Jets — his seventh team. He took just 36 snaps in 2024 behind starter Aaron Rodgers.

Taylor has appeared in 95 games and is 28-28-1 as a starter. He has completed 61.9 percent of his passes for 12,310 yards with 69 touchdowns and 29 interceptions.

The Bears selected Fields with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2021 draft. He spent three seasons in Chicago and one with the Pittsburgh Steelers before signing with the Jets as a free agent in the offseason.

Fields, 26, is 14-32 as a starter and has thrown for 8,025 yards with 46 TDs and 31 interceptions.

–Field Level Media

Green Bay Packers wideout Jayden Reed is recovering from surgeries on his broken clavicle and a Jones fracture in his left foot.

Reed underwent the operations Tuesday for a collarbone injury suffered last Thursday in a win against the Washington Commanders and a foot injury sustained in the preseason.

“Successful foot & clavicle surgery thank you God,” Reed posted on X.

Appearing on Instagram Live from his hospital bed, he said the Packers (2-0) are still going “to the (Super) Bowl.”

“I’m good, thank you for the prayers, bruh,” Reed said after the double surgery. “But we turnt, bruh, we going all the (expletive) way, bruh.”

In the first quarter on Thursday, Reed got hurt while extending to make a 39-yard catch that appeared to put the Packers on the board first. However, a holding penalty negated the touchdown.

Reed, 25, caught three passes for 45 yards and a touchdown in Green Bay’s season-opening win over the Detroit Lions. He didn’t record a catch in Week 2 before exiting.

A second-round pick in 2023, Reed has 122 career receptions for 1,695 yards and 15 touchdowns in 35 games for the Packers.

While Reed is sidelined for the next couple of months, Green Bay still has several options in the passing game with wide receivers Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks and rookie Matthew Golden plus tight end Tucker Kraft.

Green Bay will play its first road game of the season on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns (0-2).

–Field Level Media

The Super Bowl LIX rematch between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs last Sunday captured the attention of 33.8 million viewers on Fox Sports, the network announced.

That number served as the highest-ever viewership for a Week 2 game, surpassing the nearly 28 million people who watched the Chiefs against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2024.

Jalen Hurts and the Eagles got the better of Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs on Sunday for the second time in just over seven months with a 20-17 victory in Kansas City. Philadelphia posted a 40-22 win over the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans on Feb. 9.

While the 33.8 million viewers serve as a regular-season record for Fox Sports, it matched a November 2007 regular-season game putting the New England Patriots against the Indianapolis Colts on CBS.

The viewership numbers for those contests are staggering considering the only regular-season games that topped those have been played on Thanksgiving or a pair of “Monday Night Football games.”

–Field Level Media