The Los Angeles Chargers’ 27-20 victory over the Tennessee Titans in Week 9 came at a significant cost, as starting left tackle Joe Alt suffered a potentially serious right high ankle sprain.
The injury is Alt’s second high ankle sprain this season, with reports suggesting this instance may require surgery. His status will be clarified following an MRI scheduled for Monday, but a prolonged absence is anticipated after he missed three games with the same injury earlier in the year.
Alt’s absence would be a critical blow to the Chargers, whose offensive performance has fluctuated dramatically based on his availability. The team is 5-1 when Alt plays and just 1-2 in his absence. With him on the field, Los Angeles operates as one of the NFL’s top-five offenses based on key metrics like Expected Points Added per play. Without him, their production plummets to the level of the league’s bottom-tier units.
The injury exacerbates a growing crisis along an already battered offensive line. Alt was filling in for Rashawn Slater, who suffered a season-ending patellar tendon tear in the preseason. The unit is further depleted by injuries to Alt’s backup, Austin Deculus (ankle), starting guard Mekhi Becton (hand), and right tackle Bobby Hart, who left Sunday’s game with groin and ankle injuries.
The line’s instability has left quarterback Justin Herbert under constant duress. He has been sacked 28 times, the third-most in the league, and has absorbed a league-high 80 quarterback hits. Even against the Titans, Herbert was contacted 10 times and was forced to become the team’s leading rusher with 57 yards and a touchdown, underscoring the severe pressure on the franchise quarterback.
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