Chargers rookie Ingram leaves with knee injury

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — San Diego first-round draft pick Melvin Ingram left the Chargers’ preseason game against Minnesota because of a left knee injury.

The 18th overall draft pick out of South Carolina went down late in the third quarter Friday night while rushing the passer. He crumpled to the turf and was in noticeable pain as he was helped off the field by two trainers. There was no immediate word on the severity of his injury.

The Chargers were last in the league in third-down defense last season, so they drafted Ingram with their first pick in hopes of bolstering their pass rush to help them get off the field in those situations.

Ingram had 10 sacks as a senior defensive end. He is being moved to linebacker in the 3-4 defense.