Just when it looked like it couldn't get any worse for the LA Chargers' offensive line, it got worse. Star second-year tackle Joe Alt, who is starting at left tackle with fellow star Rashawn Slater out for the year, suffered an ankle injury Sunday that knocked him out of the game against the New York Giants.
The injury had an instant impact on the Chargers and was a primary reason for the Bolts' ugliest game of the year. In the long run, fans are worried about how this offensive line will hold up. Alt reportedly is dealing with a high ankle sprain, which can knock him out as little as one week, or as many as six.
The Bolts' first priority is getting back to Los Angeles to test the severity of the ankle sprain. Once they have more clarity, the Chargers should then turn to adding tackle help, assuming Alt will miss multiple games.
Tackles are a hot commodity, so don't expect the Chargers to land someone who will fundamentally change the offensive line. However, there is one logical tackle target that the Bolts should pursue after Alt's injury: Cam Robinson.
Chargers should call Texans for a Cam Robinson trade
If you quickly glance at Cam Robinson's Pro Football Focus profile you will be disappointed. After all, there is a reason why the Texans would theoretically be shopping the tackle in the first place. Houston isn't going to shop someone whose impact can't be replicated.
The Chargers aren't in a position to add a superstar to the offensive line. They have to take what they can get, and right now, that's Robinson.
Robinson was a healthy scratch for the Texans in Week 4 after somehow surviving the roster cutdown in August. Many expected the veteran tackle to get cut or traded but the Texans held on. Now, Houston might be able to get a future seventh-round pick for someone who isn't even playing.
So why Robinson? Well, at this point in the season, it's pretty rare to add someone who has legitimate starting experience to start in place of an injured star. Robinson provides that, so while it might not be perfect, it's certainly better than Austin Deculus.
Robinson has a 57.8 pass-blocking grade on PFF thus far this season. Last year, Robinson had a truly woeful 94.4 pass-block efficiency rating with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Minnesota Vikings. That is as bad as it gets for a starter.
The three years prior, though, Robinson posted above a 97 efficiency rating. More importantly, the 2017 second-round pick out of Alabama has over 4,000 pass-blocking snaps in his career. That is the kind of experience you simply cannot teach.
The Chargers don't need someone who can replicate Alt. They need someone who won't be a turnstile at left tackle. At the very least, Robinson is experienced enough to pick up blitz packages and stunts to at least give Justin Herbert a chance. Herbert isn't getting much of a chance behind Deculus.
Penalties are a concern and it definitely won't be perfect. But the Chargers can't afford to sit on their hands. They owe it to Herbert to add more protection, even if that protection is flawed.