Ingram attended the University of South Carolina, where he played for coach Steve Spurrier’s South Carolina Gamecocks football team from 2007 to 2011. He played linebacker for the Gamecocks before switching to defensive end. As a junior in 2010, he led the team with nine sacks.

In 2011, Ingram registered 10 sacks, 15 tackles for loss, and two interceptions. He also scored three touchdowns. Two of his touchdowns came against Georgia in a 45–42 victory in Athens, including a 68-yard fake-punt for a touchdown. Ingram’s strong senior campaign helped propel the Gamecocks defense to a final #4 national poll ranking, and he was a first-team All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) selection, and was recognized as a consensus All-American.

On May 14, 2013, Ingram tore his anterior cruciate ligament during the Chargers’ organized team activities and was expected to miss the entire 2013 season. On August 26, 2013, he was placed on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. On December 7, 2013, Ingram was activated off the PUP list prior to Week 14. In Week 16, Ingram sacked Raiders quarterback Matt McGloin while forcing a fumble. In the wild card game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Ingram picked off Quarterback Andy Dalton for his first postseason Interception. On October 4, 2015, Ingram strip-sacked Josh McCown and recovered the fumble.

On February 27, 2017, the Chargers placed the franchise tag on Ingram. On June 11, 2017, Ingram signed a four-year, $66 million contract with $42 million guaranteed with the Chargers.

On June 17, 2019, Ingram predicted that the Chargers would win Super Bowl LIV and stated that “We’re the team to beat in the NFL, not just the AFC West, it’s the NFL. We feel like when we’re going against our offense that we need to beat them because they’re the best. They need to beat us because we’re the best. That’s how we’re going to get better.” In the end, the 2019 Chargers not only failed to go to the Super Bowl, but missed the playoffs entirely after posting a 5-11 record.

On September 26, 2020, Ingram was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury. He was activated on October 24.