The Las Vegas Raiders played host to the LA Chargers in Sunday's season finale in a game with stakes for the Chargers. While the Chargers already clinched a spot in the NFL Playoffs, a win over the Raiders would move the Chargers into the coveted fifth seed.
With a win over the Raiders, the Chargers would play the Houston Texans instead of the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the playoffs. Houston is a much more beatable team, as evidenced by the Texans' 31-2 loss to Baltimore on Christmas.
The Chargers played their starters against the Raiders because of this with the goal of winning and staying healthy. Unfortunately, the latter is easier said than done and the Chargers lost a starting member of the offensive line in the second half.
Starting right guard Trey Pipkins, who was starting at right tackle with Rashawn Slater inactive, suffered an apparent lower-body injury and was carted off the field and into the locker room.
Chargers lose Trey Pipkins to injury right before NFL Playoffs
Pipkins has not been the most consistent player for the Chargers this season but the injury is still impactful. Offensive line depth is extremely important to making a Super Bowl run and losing a starter is always less than ideal.
That being said, the Chargers do have a replacement lined up in Jamaree Salyer, who some would argue has played better at right guard this season. Salyer might be able to produce at a higher level than Pipkins but there is still a scary domino effect that could come from this injury.
The bigger concern is around Slater, who suffered discomfort in his knee prior to Sunday's kickoff leading him to be inactive. While it was likely just the Chargers being over-cautious in Week 18, Slater has suffered injuries before and there is at least some level of concern of this being bigger than a one-week injury.
In the worst-case scenario, Slater won't be able to start in the Wild-Card Round and the Chargers would be forced to scramble. Normally, Pipkins would slot in at right tackle with Joe Alt at left tackle. However, with Pipkins out, the Chargers would have to turn to Foster Sarell at right tackle in the playoffs if Slater cannot play.
Sarell has struggled every chance he has gotten in the NFL with the Chargers. He definitely is not who the Chargers want protecting Justin Herbert in the playoffs.