Joe

Alt

Pre Rapoport, Alt received good news after seeing a specialist for his neck injury earlier this week. Alt missed last week’s game with the issue and has already been ruled out for Week 6, but this is still a positive turn of events, all things considered. With a Week 7 bye on deck, Alt could be back as soon as the following week when the Bolts take on the Rams.

Alt was off to see a specialist, per Jim Harbaugh, on Monday. He did not practice. At this point an IR stint seems more likely than not. The four rookie line should be intact for the Chargers this week with Kayode Awosika also ruled out.

Chargers OG Kayode Awosika (fibula), S Derwin James (hamstring) and CB Donte Jackson (hamstring) also remained sidelined. The Chargers take on the division-rival Chiefs this weekend.

Alt missed Week 5 after not practicing last week and opens up Week 6 as a non-participant. Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said Tuesday that Alt would visit a specialist for his neck injury. G Kayode Awosika (fibula) is also still sidelined. Justin Herbert’s offensive line looks like it will still be missing both players this week; the Chiefs’ defensive line will have a good day against the inexperienced depth that will start for the Chargers.

Last week’s offensive line in front of Justin Herbert featured four rookies and Cole Strange. It doesn’t look like it’s getting much better in Week 6.

An already disappointing season continues to tumbler for the Chargers. LT Rashawn Slater (ankle) is already out this week and Alt will join him on the injury report. Neither starting tackle has been able to stay healthy over the course of their careers, making life difficult for QB Justin Herbert. Though Alt is expected to miss this week against the Broncos, Rapoport adds that there are “no plans” for him to go on injured reserve.

In true Chargers fashion, their once-promising offensive line has been scattered to the winds by injuries. Left tackle Rashawn Slater won’t play this week because of an ankle injury. Now their right tackle could also be put on ice. Already one of the most disappointing offenses of the year, there’s almost no hope for the Bolts to turn things around this week.

Alt suffered the injury in Week 4 when Nick Emmanwori slammed into him from behind while trying to down Justin Herbert. It sounds like there’s a real chance that he misses Week 5. Somehow, the 2025 Chargers offensive line has returned.

Harbaugh didn’t say exactly how much either player would participate in the opening practices of camp and even noted that the whole team is starting off in a “ramp-up” stage. Alt suffered two high-ankle sprains last year, the second one requiring season-ending surgery. Slater did not play at all in 2025 because of a ruptured patellar tendon. Though it would make sense for both players to be limited during the first few practices of training camp, it doesn’t sound like any player will have any lingering issues heading into 2026.

Chargers GM Joe Hortiz said both players were ahead of schedule when asked about them a week before the NFL Draft. Slater suffered a season-ending ruptured a patellar tendon last August and did not play a snap in 2025. Alt was unable to recover from a high-ankle sprain during the season and finished the year on injured reserve. All signs point to the Chargers having their elite tackle duo healthy for the start of the year. With an improved offensive line and Mike McDaniel on the headset, this is truly a make-or-break year for Justin Herbert.