Joe Alt injury update: Chargers LT receives devastating news on severity of ankle issue

The Los Angeles Chargers (6-3) announced Monday that left tackle Joe Alt will undergo season-ending ankle surgery. Alt suffered the injury in Sunday’s 27-20 Week 9 road win over the Tennessee Titans (1-8).

Alt was carted off the field in the second quarter after a Titans pass rusher fell into his right leg. He looked despondent as he rode back to the locker room.

“Feel bad for Joe,” head coach Jim Harbaugh said. “I know it’s going to be OK. It’s not going to be life-altering. Feel bad for him.”

Alt missed three games earlier this season with an injury to the same ankle. One of the best offensive linemen in the NFL, Alt graded out as the No. 5 tackle, according to Pro Football Focus. Without Alt on the field, quarterback Justin Herbert has been pressured on 42% of his throws.

The Chargers are already without Pro Bowl right tackle Rashawn Slater, who suffered a torn patella tendon before the season. The trade deadline is Tuesday, so we’ll see if Los Angeles looks to make a move to upgrade its offensive line for the second half of the 2025 season.

Joe Alt injury creates massive hole on Chargers’ offensive line

Furthermore, right tackle Bobby Hart exited Sunday’s game with groin and ankle injuries. Trey Pipkins III filled in for Hart in the first quarter. Harbaugh said that Jamaree Salyer, who stepped in for Alt at left tackle, Pipkins, and Austin Deculus are in-house options to replace Alt and potentially Hart. Despite the injuries, Los Angeles found a way to win against Tennessee, making it three wins out of its last four.

“It played out in the game, and you saw how the guys responded. That’s something about our team that I really admire,” Harbaugh said. “There was a lot to overcome in that game Sunday, and our guys found a way and overcame it. I would’ve been surprised if they hadn’t, how good I know this team. You just keep going, keep getting better, build, get better.”

Harbaugh added, “I think like anything in sports, it’s adversity. You just do the best you can, and you get better. Never give up. Those three key elements. Maybe a lesser team, lesser man wouldn’t find a way to do that, but that’s what we do.”