An already depleted LA Chargers offensive line got even worse in Week 4 when Joe Alt was rolled up on and left the game with an ankle injury. Alt missed the rest of the game and reports confirmed Monday that the star left tackle suffered a high ankle sprain. He's expected to miss several weeks.
The Chargers are now without both of their star tackles and boast an offensive line that's hard to write home about. Bradley Bozeman ranks dead last in centers with his paltry Pro Football Focus grade and Zion Johnson has been mediocre at best. New signing Mekhi Becton missed Week 4 with a concussion, but shouldn't miss more time (barring any setbacks).
Becton's return may actually help the Chargers replace Alt at left tackle, which is the biggest issue facing the team heading into Week 5. Austin Deculus simply isn't good enough, allowing six pressures in 40 pass-blocking snaps in Week 4. He has a pass-blocking grade of 24.8 this season.
It doesn't seem like the Chargers are going to add external help to fill in for Alt. However, they could turn to Becton's Week 4 replacement, Jamaree Salyer, to replace Alt in the short term.
Chargers already have their Joe Alt replacement in Jamaree Salyer
Salyer has served as the team's swing guard over the last two years. He started at right guard in place of Becton in Week 4, and played some guard last year when Trey Pipkins was forced to kick out to tackle.
On the surface, Salyer's numbers leave far more to be desired and seemingly take him out of contention to actually replace Alt at left tackle. It's pretty hard to be excited about a 31.8 pass-blocking grade this season, after all.
Salyer wasn't that great last season, either, so it may not seem like a sound strategy to kick him out to the most important position on the offensive line. However, the Chargers were forced to make that same move last time Slater suffered a season-ending injury, and it worked out quite well.
Salyer played just under 1,000 total snaps at left guard in 2022 when Slater tore his bicep. The 2022 season ended up being the best of his career with Salyer posting a 75.9 pass-blocking grade. He hasn't posted above a 62 grade at guard in his career.
It may be a tad unconventional but it's at least worth a shot given the current status of the offensive line. Salyer has more value starting at left tackle than he does sitting on the sideline.
Of course, this is only possible if Becton is healthy and can suit up moving forward. The Chargers wouldn't have a trusted starting option at right guard if Salyer plays left tackle. At that point, it would be better playing the true tackle (Deculus) at left tackle with Salyer at guard.
But if Becton is healthy? The Bolts must give Salyer a shot. What else is there to lose?