The Chargers looked to solidify their offensive line in the offseason following the Texans' playoff game. Unfortunately, it’s now less stable than it’s ever been. With the season-ending injuries to Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater, some of the issues were obviously out of their control.
On the other hand, the Chargers decided to run it back with C Bradley Bozeman and made RG Mekhi Becton the key OL acquisition of their free agency. Both of those moves have produced underwhelming results. In addition to that, the injury luck with Slater and Alt’s backups has been unforgiving almost every week.
Could the Chargers make even more offensive line changes heading into Week 17 vs. the Texans?
Week 17’s practice reports indicate that even more change could be coming for the Chargers. At one point, the team thought they found their starting tackle duo for the rest of the season in RT Trey Pipkins and LT Jamaree Salyer. Pipkins missed the game vs. Dallas as Bobby Hart got the start in his place. Salyer suffered a hamstring injury against the Cowboys that left his status this week in doubt.
Salyer had registered DNPs in the first two days of practice for Los Angeles. He has now officially been ruled OUT for Saturday’s game. The good news is that Pipkins (ankle) is on track to return with two full practices so far this week. Pipkins now carries no status designation injury-wise for Saturday’s game.
In other injury news, Becton dealt with a knee issue in the first practice of the week and registered a DNP. Becton was back at practice on Wednesday in a limited capacity, but interestingly did not work in with the starting lineup. Per ESPN’s Kris Rhim, the Bolts’ starting lineup in practice was LT Bobby Hart, LG Zion Johnson, C Bradley Bozeman, RG Trevor Penning, and RT Trey Pipkins. Becton is officially listed as questionable for Saturday.
Penning took Becton’s place for 13 right guard snaps against Kansas City in Week 15. Outside of that, he played one game at left tackle vs. Jacksonville and has done the bulk of his work in extra offensive lineman packages. Penning has never started at right guard in his career. He only played left guard with the Saints this season prior to the trade.
The Chargers’ season has been marred by changes along the offensive line. At this point, they’re well over 20+ different line combinations for the entire season. Hart shifting to left tackle and Becton not starting would be yet another massive shift.
The Chargers keep winning, but the question remains: how much more offensive line chaos can they absorb? Houston’s Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter could provide a decisive answer, one way or another.
The Chargers will kick off against the Texans on Saturday at 1:30 PM PT on NFL Network.