The Los Angeles Chargers' season, in many ways, has been defined by the injuries they have sustained, and no unit has been more affected than their struggling offensive line, having now lost both of their starting tackles for the duration of the season.
While their trade deadline gamble, acquiring tackle/guard Trevor Penning from the New Orleans Saints, potentially represented some relief for the immense struggles the team has experienced, his performance in his first game as a starter showed that the move was not enough to salvage a ravaged line.
In fairness, it was never truly expected that Penning would suddenly solve all of the Chargers' protection problems, especially since the end of his time on the Saints saw him moved to the interior as a result of his own struggles. Yet, his rough first appearance as a starter could see him benched entirely, making the trade a decided failure.
Trevor Penning's addition could only intensify the Chargers' O-line struggles
This offseason, Los Angeles's front office took a significant amount of criticism for their inactivity in improving an offensive line that had its fair share of struggles last season. While they added Mekhi Becton in free agency, he has missed multiple games with injury, and, when he has been healthy, he has been one of the worst interior linemen in the league.
Therefore, it made sense not to have faith in their ability to bring in any sort of difference-maker at the trade deadline. Not many expected Penning, who was acquired for just a sixth-round pick, to be that.
Yet, there was a prevailing hope that he could provide any semblance of consistency over Austin Deculus at left tackle. His performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars gave little reason for this hope to continue.
He struggled to contain Josh Hines-Allen all game, conceding not only a sack but also a number of pressures that stunted the Charger's offensive flow immensely.
Ultimately, he was replaced by Deculus, who, according to PFF, has been the worst tackle in the league this season. It can't get much worse, can it?
The play of Trey Pipkins III against Travon Walker on the other side of the line was not much better, and, as a result of their struggles and the excellent play of the Jaguars' secondary, Justin Herbert was only able to amass 81 yards through their air throughout the course of the game.
As hard as it is to admit, the move for Penning was a gamble to keep the Chargers' season alive, and, so far, it has failed miserably.