EL SEGUNDO — Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh didn’t wish to name his starting offensive line on Friday for Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins. He didn’t want to tip his hand going into a game that loomed as another test of the Chargers’ depth, certainly their biggest challenge to date.
What it looked like from the sideline during the portion of practice open for reporters’ viewing was makeshift in every sense of the word. Left tackle Joe Alt was later ruled out for Sunday’s game because of an ankle injury and right tackle Trey Pipkins III was sidelined because of a knee injury.
It looked as if Austin Deculus would take Alt’s spot at left tackle and Bobby Hart could be activated from the practice squad in order to assume Pipkins’ position at right tackle. The interior of the line remained composed of left guard Zion Johnson, center Bradley Bozeman and right guard Mekhi Becton.
Jamaree Salyer, Foster Sarell and Andre James were expected to be backups for Sunday’s game against the Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. Salyer was said to be questionable to play because of a knee injury, however. He didn’t practice Thursday or Friday and was limited Wednesday.
So, where does that leave the Chargers’ protection of quarterback Justin Herbert? “Questionable,” would be one accurate description. “Doubtful,” would be another on-point assessment. “A potential disaster,” might be a little over the top, although, “A hot mess,” might work.
“I’m not going to say what we’re doing,” Harbaugh said when asked specifically about how the Chargers would replace Alt, a second-year standout who shifted to left tackle from right tackle after Rashawn Slater suffered a season-ending knee injury during a drill in training camp on Aug. 7.
“It’s not helpful to go through the plan in terms of what we’re doing or who’s doing it.”
Harbaugh also said little when asked what he saw this week from Hart, who last played in the NFL in 2022.
“Had a good week,” he said. “Good preparation and attention to detail.”
Of Salyer, Harbaugh said, “Had a setback. We’ll know more (Saturday).”
The Chargers’ offense hasn’t been the same since Alt was injured in the first quarter of an eventual 21-18 loss to the New York Giants on Sept. 28. In addition to losing to the Giants, the Chargers also lost to the Washington Commanders, 27-10, last weekend, falling to 3-2.
Herbert has been under near-constant pressure in each of the past three games, which includes a 23-20 come-from-behind victory over the Denver Broncos on Sept. 21. Herbert threw for 300 yards against Denver, but dropped to 203 yards against the Giants and 166 yards against the Commanders.
The Broncos sacked Herbert five times, the Giants twice and the Commanders four times in a game in which the Chargers built a 10-0 lead by the end of the first quarter, but were blanked over the final three. Harbaugh replaced Herbert with Trey Lance in the closing minutes.
It was a move of mercy, what with the game out of reach, 27-10 with only minutes remaining, giving Herbert a break, potentially, from further abuse by the hard-charging Commanders’ defense. Lance completed three of four passes for 44 yards. The Commanders sacked Lance once.
Harbaugh also declined to answer a question Friday about whether he planned to utilize tight ends Tyler Conklin, Will Dissly and Tucker Fisk and/or his running backs Hassan Haskins and Kimani Vidal and/or fullback Scott Matlock to aid in the protection for Herbert on Sunday.
“Same answer,” Harbaugh said, referring to a question about the offensive line.
INJURY REPORT
In addition to Alt and Pipkins, the Chargers also will be without wide receiver Derius Davis because of a knee injury and defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand, who has a groin injury. Matlock (ankle), outside linebacker Bud Dupree (hamstring), wide receiver Quentin Johnston (hamstring) and linebacker Denzel Perryman (ankle) were listed as questionable to play Sunday.