As the Los Angeles Chargers enter Week 5 of the NFL season, both injuries and poor play by their offensive line have severely limited their ceiling.
Yet with the news that Mekhi Becton practiced fully today, taking off his yellow non-contact jersey, it remains a real possibility that he could be ready for their matchup against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, providing a massive boon to what could otherwise be a dismal week for the Chargers.
Mekhi Becton (concussion) is out of his yellow non-contact jersey at today’s #Chargers practice.
— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) October 3, 2025
The offensive line's success hinges on Mekhi Becton's availability in Week 5
As the season has worn on, the singular-most salient wart across the Chargers' roster has been their offensive line. A season-ending injury to Rashawn Slater capped their ceiling significantly, and in-season injuries to both Mekhi Becton and Joe Alt now look to threaten their ability to put together a competent line whatsoever.
To make matters worse, the remaining starters, including Bradley Bozeman, Zion Johnson and Trey Pipkins III, have all failed to step up in these players' absence, leaving quarterback Justin Herbert to deal with rather exorbitant amounts of pressure on passing plays.
What could be the nail in the coffin for the team this week, however, is if Becton were to miss another week with the concussion he suffered in Week 3 against the Denver Broncos.
With Alt and Becton both out, the team would have no solid protectors on either side of their offensive line, and both Pipkins and Jamaree Salyer, who will likely step in for Alt, will not have experienced linemen beside them to help pick up stunts and various blitzes that the Commanders might throw at them.
Needless to say, this could be an unmitigated disaster as Los Angeles enters a must-win game.
Becton, however, was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday and Thursday and was evidently a full participant on Friday, meaning that the trajectory for him to be able to suit up on Sunday is evidently pointing upwards.
Although Becton is not the same caliber as someone like Alt, his presence would be massive for the confidence of Pipkins, and, if he plays, the team could at least field a solid right side of their line.
While Washington has put together a relatively effective pass rush this season revolving around a number of rotational players, they have not necessarily been lethal. The Chargers, therefore, have a bit of grace this week, and, if Becton could return, things could at least be manageable for another week as the team tries to sort out their solutions to these devastating absences.