The Chargers may have to open the season without one of their key pass rushers, and that could push Akheem Mesidor into the kind of spotlight rookies usually spend months chasing.
Tuli Tuipulotu is officially questionable for the opener against the Arizona Cardinals because of a hip injury. He was limited all week in practice, which doesn’t automatically mean he’ll miss the game, but it does force Los Angeles to prepare for life without him.
That’s where Mesidor comes in.
The rookie was already expected to be part of the Chargers’ pass-rush rotation this season, and defensive coordinator Chris O'Leary has been talking him up throughout training camp. There was already a path for Mesidor to work alongside Tuipulotu and Khalil Mack on passing downs, giving the defense another burst off the edge.
Now that path could get a lot bigger.
If Tuipulotu is unavailable, Mesidor wouldn’t just be filling a spot in the rotation. He’d be stepping into the role of replacing a player who posted 13 sacks and 70 quarterback pressures last season, which is a much heavier ask for an NFL debut.
The matchup also adds another layer. Arizona will be without Kyler Murray for the first time since selecting him with the No. 1 overall pick in 2019, and that could give Mesidor an even more immediate chance to make an impact if he’s forced into a bigger workload.
Even if Tuipulotu is cleared to play, Mesidor should still get chances to show what he can do. The Chargers have made it clear they want to use his skill set, and a rotational role would still give Los Angeles another dangerous pass-rushing option.
But if Tuipulotu can’t go, the rookie’s opportunity changes fast. Mesidor has already flashed in practice. Against the Cardinals, he could get his first real chance to show everyone else too.
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