Los Angeles Chargers center Mike Pouncey has been ruled out for Sunday's season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals because of a hip injury, an ailment that hindered him in a prior stint with the Miami Dolphins.
Pouncey has not practiced this week because of the injury.
With Pouncey out, Dan Feeney will start at center and Forrest Lamp will take over at left guard. Right guard Trai Turner (knee) and right tackle Bryan Bulaga (hamstring) were listed as questionable before the team departed for Cincinnati, though coach Anthony Lynn didn't sound overly concerned about their Week 1 availability.
"We're gonna miss Mike, for sure," Lynn said. "We're gonna miss his veteran leadership, we're gonna miss him as a center, but we have more than enough."
Wide receiver Mike Williams, dealing with a shoulder injury, was also listed as questionable and is expected to be a game-time decision.
Pouncey, 31, missed the majority of the 2019 season after undergoing neck surgery following Week 5 and is currently playing on a one-year, $9 million contract. The Chargers, who will be without safety Derwin James all season, were counting on a healthy Pouncey to help stabilize their running game.
Pouncey was limited to five games with the Dolphins in 2016 because of a hip injury, which continues to be an issue.
"We knew this when we brought Mike here, and Mike has toughed it out," Lynn said. "But this is not the time to do it. This is the time to get Mike as healthy as we can and get him some rest."
