The LA Chargers banked on having their offensive line situation fixed for this season with the addition of right guard Mekhi Becton and all of their other projected starting offensive linemen having another year in the system. A second-year leap from Joe Alt was expected at the right tackle spot.
That all changed when Rashawn Slater left practice with a season-ending torn patellar tendon injury. For now, the Chargers are rolling with the line they're most confident in. Alt has moved over to left tackle while projected swing tackle Trey Pipkins III is now a starter on the right side.
It's had downstream impacts on the roster. For the time being, the Chargers haven't exactly decided on who their swing tackle is. It would currently project to be backup guard Jamaree Salyer. Here was Greg Roman's full quote from yesterday when asked who the swing tackle was:
"That's up for debate really," Roman started. "We feel very comfortable with definitely Jamaree (Salyer). I mean, he's played tackle in the past, and we feel very comfortable with Jamaree as guard and tackle. Really, I would say that's probably the answer to that."
Roman was asked a follow up about the fact that Salyer had never played right tackle before. He said that it didn't worry him. The word Roman used was "ambidextrous" when describing his current NFL experience on both sides of the line. Salyer has played left tackle and right guard.
Chargers' plan for Jamaree Salyer highlights need for an offensive line addition
For the moment, it appears that Salyer is both backup guard and swing tackle. The Chargers also signed OT David Sharpe on August 9th. He finally got into some preseason action on Saturday.
Roman credited him for his effort so far but also said, "he needs time to get into real football shape." The last time Sharpe played any regular season snaps was during the 2023 NFL season. "He's working his way through it, for sure," Roman said.
Roman also hasn't been particularly definitive on the status of RG Mekhi Becton during his media availability sessions. Becton returned to practice yesterday for the first time in three weeks, but did not participate in team drills.
The Chargers OC said he wasn't sure when he would be able to participate in team drills. Last week, Roman said he was not "putting anything in concrete" about Becton playing in Week 1. Yesterday, he said that he thinks Becton will be "good to go" for the season opener.
Salyer pulling double duty at both swing tackle and swing guard doesn't seem particularly tenable for an entire season. Unless the Chargers see a rapid progression from Sharpe, one has to wonder if they consider the free-agent market, roster cutdown week, or a trade to find external offensive line help. There should also be a more proper contingency plan in place if Becton can't go Week 1, even with a relatively positive return to practice yesterday.
How the Chargers really feel about their offensive line depth will probably be revealed closer to roster cuts next week. For now, the current attrition along the line feels like more than a team that is supposed to be a playoff contender can absorb.