After recovering from a neck injury, it looks like another injury might delay center Mike Pouncey’s return to the field for the LA Chargers. 

The 31-year old Pouncey has missed the team’s practice this week because of a hip injury, and is not expected to play when the Chargers open their season against the Cincinnati Bengals this Sunday, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Pouncey has been hounded by injuries in the last couple of years, with a neck injury limiting him to just five games last season. His last full season came in 2018, when he received his fourth Pro Bowl selection and first as a member of the LA Chargers. 

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The 15th overall pick of the 2011 NFL Draft also suffered a hip injury that caused him to miss 11 games in 2016 back when he played for the Miami Dolphins. The next two seasons, however, saw him successfully return to play for the Dolphins before joining the Chargers, and was named to the Pro Bowl in both seasons. 

Pouncey, who is under a one-year, $9 million contract this season, is an important part of the Chargers’ offensive line that enters this season with significant changes. During the offseason, Los Angeles traded left tackle Russell Okung to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for right guard Trai Turner, while inking right tackle Bryan Bulaga to a three-year deal. 

The injury comes as a blow for quarterback Tyrod Taylor and the Chargers, who already lost safety Derwin James for the season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn meniscus.