Joe Alt Out for Season, Chargers O-Line Crisis

Joe Alt will undergo season-ending surgery after re-injuring the same right ankle that sidelined him earlier this season; he was carted off during Sunday’s win at Tennessee. The loss compounds a dire Chargers offensive-line crisis: Rashawn Slater is already out for the season with a torn patellar tendon and right tackle Bobby Hart also left the Titans game injured, while backups such as Austin Deculus and Trey Pipkins have been inconsistent or hurt. With Justin Herbert seeing heavier pressure and more sacks when the line is shorthanded, the team — now 6-3 (3-0 AFC West) — is expected to place Alt on injured reserve and quickly reshuffle the line. With limited cap space and draft capital and the trade deadline imminent, Los Angeles is likely to explore trades, free agency and the waiver wire to add veteran tackle help to preserve its playoff push.