The Los Angeles Chargers improved to 6-3, good for second place in the AFC West, after defeating the Tennessee Titans 27-20 on Sunday. But the victory was tainted by yet another injury to the offensive line. Star tackle Joe Alt suffered a high-ankle sprain in the second quarter and exited the game on a medical cart.
Sources quickly told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that Alt, 22, could require surgery, but there was initial hope he could return at some point this season. However, the Chargers announced today that Alt will undergo season-ending surgery on his right ankle.
“I feel for him,” coach Jim Harbaugh told reporters after Sunday’s game. “Feel bad for him.”
Another Major Injury for Los Angeles
Offensive line injuries have plagued the Chargers all season. Alt’s season-ending injury occurred on the same ankle that had caused him to miss three games and had hampered him for most of the season. He’s also the second star tackle the Chargers have lost to injury.
“The storm began in training camp when Pro Bowl left tackle Rashawn Slater suffered a season-ending right knee patellar tendon rupture in his left knee,” Kris Rhim writes for ESPN. “L.A. entered Sunday’s game without starting right guard Mekhi Becton, who was out with a knee injury. In the first quarter, right tackle Bobby Hart exited after Titans outside linebacker Dre’Mont Jones fell into his left knee. The team said that Hart has a groin and ankle injury.”
Can the Chargers Win Without Alt?
The Chargers should certainly remain competitive, even after losing a key offensive player. Justin Herbert and co. have weathered Alt’s absence before, and they have the talent to keep putting up points. However, the numbers illustrate the significance of Alt’s injury.
According to Rhim, “The Chargers are 4-0 this season when Alt plays the entire game and 2-3 when he doesn’t. Herbert has a QBR of 80 with Alt on the field and a QBR of 56 without him. L.A.’s’ pass block win rate of 52.6% this season ranks 30th in the NFL, but without Alt, that number drops to a league-worst 48%, according to ESPN Analytics/NFL Next Gen Stats.”
“Hard to overstate how much different the team looks without Alt on the field,” NFL Network’s Gregg Rosenthal tweeted after news broke that Alt’s season was finished. “Herbert is playing too well to dismiss them as a potential playoff team but their ceiling is lower.”
Trade Deadline Moves
Trade rumors have linked the Chargers to several offensive linemen for months. Really, ever since Slater was injured on Aug. 6. Alt’s injury makes it even more likely the team makes a move before Tuesday’s trade deadline.
There are plenty of names available, but most of the prominent ones play on the interior offensive line. The Giants‘ Evan Neal is one of the few tackles reportedly on the trade block. If the Chargers were to reshuffle the offensive line and target centers and guards, players to keep an eye on include: Tennessee’s Kevin Zeitler, Las Vegas’ Jackson Powers-Johnson, and Cleveland’s Wyatt Teller and Joel Bitonio.
Like any deal, it’s about finding the right price. By tomorrow afternoon, we’ll see much the Chargers and GM Joe Horitz are willing to spend to replace their 22-year-old star tackle.
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