EL SEGUNDO — Joe Alt’s assignment on Sunday is a simple one, but not an easy one. He knows it. The Chargers’ coaching staff knows it. The Las Vegas Raiders’ coaching staff knows it. The 74,000 or so fans who will crowd into SoFi Stadium for the season-opening game probably know it, too.
Alt’s job Sunday afternoon will be to protect Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert from the Raiders’ onrushing defense, led by Maxx Crosby. It also will be to create sufficient space for running backs Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbs because the Chargers aren’t necessarily a pass-first team anymore.
No question, it’s a hefty burden for a 21-year-old rookie right tackle to shoulder, but that’s why the Chargers selected him fifth in the NFL draft in April. They had faith he could learn on the job after a stellar career moving other large human beings out of the way over three seasons at Notre Dame.
Alt, who is listed at 6-foot-8 and 322 pounds, has earned a big boy job. He was every bit as good as advertised during spring practices and in training camp this past month. He more than held his own against Chargers pass rushers Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu and Bud Dupree.
After Alt shouldered his way into the starting lineup, the coaching staff shifted former starting right tackle Trey Pipkins III to right guard and turned former starting right guard Jamaree Salyer into a backup. To the left of center Bradley Bozeman is left tackle Rashawn Slater and left guard Zion Johnson.
Now, here comes Crosby, who had 14½ sacks during the 2023 season.
This is no drill, rookie.
“There can’t be a bigger test right out of the gate,” Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said earlier this week when asked about the Alt-versus-Crosby matchup. “Joe is prepared for it. I can’t wait to watch him compete, starting against a premier edge player in the history of the game, really.”
Alt appeared calm, cool and collected in the hours leading up to his NFL debut. He said he was prepared for this moment since he was a child, tagging along with his father, John, an offensive lineman with the Kansas City Chiefs and two-time Pro Bowl selection during a stellar 13-year career.
“I grew up watching the NFL,” Alt said. “My dad played (in the league). Being a part of it, being in the locker room, it’s so cool for me. There was a small adjustment period, like, ‘All right, I’m here. Some of these guys you’ve watched on Sundays and, wow, you’re playing against them or playing with them.’
“You really have got to flip that switch and go back to being yourself and get yourself ready.”
Facing off against Bosa, Mack and the Chargers’ other pass rushers has afforded Alt an accelerated introduction into the game within the game. Bosa, a four-time Pro Bowl pick, and Mack, an eight-time selection, certainly didn’t hold back in individual or team drills in camp. One-on-one battles were intense.
“I’ve learned a ton going against Khalil and Joey,” Alt said. “I think it’s the best edge group in the country. You’re learning and you’re getting better every single day. You’re seeing different moves, different types of moves, and it’s allowing me to grow and improve every single day. I’m grateful to go against those guys.”
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EXTRA POINTS
Bosa said he achieved his goal of abandoning the club, the protective padding he wore to protect his broken left hand, by the start of the season. He was injured fighting off a block during the Chargers’ joint practice with the Rams on Aug. 1 and underwent surgery soon after. …
Wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. was ruled out of Sunday’s game because of a hip injury that has sidelined him for practice this week. Cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. was listed as questionable after he injured his shoulder during Friday’s practice. Cornerback Tarheeb Still (hip) also was listed as questionable.