While the Los Angeles Chargers survived a scare from the one-win Tennessee Titans on Sunday afternoon, escaping Nissan Stadium with a 27-20 victory to improve to 6-3 on the season, the win didn't come without a loss, as second-year star offensive tackle Joe Alt was carted off the field after suffering an injury to his right ankle in the second quarter.
Alt, of course, suffered the same type of injury in Week 4 against the New York Giants, and while he was able to avoid being placed on injured reserve, he was still forced to miss three games, with the Bolts going 1-2 in those contests before he returned for their Week 8 win over the Minnesota Vikings. But from the looks of things, it seems the Notre Dame product will be on the shelf much longer than three games this time around.
The severity of Alt's injury on Sunday wasn't really known as the game progressed, but it certainly doesn't bode well that he was seen leaving the premises on crutches and not simply a walking boot.
To literally add insult to injury, Adam Schefter has now reported that Alt is believed to have suffered yet another high-ankle sprain, but that this one could ultimately require a surgical procedure to repair. Schefter went on to say that the 22-year-old is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Monday.
Joe Alt injury update is more bad news for the Chargers
Chargers LT Joe Alt is believed to have suffered another high ankle sprain, only this time it could require a procedure to repair, per sources. Alt will undergo an MRI on Monday to confirm the diagnosis on the same right ankle he injured earlier this season at the Giants. pic.twitter.com/pyt12XwncQ
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 2, 2025
Whether Alt requires surgery or not, one has to assume that injured reserve is on the table this time, which would be absolutely devastating news for the Chargers, who are already having enough problems on the offensive line as it is.
Rashawn Slater, of course, was lost before the season began, bringing Trey Pipkins into the starting lineup, which didn't work out whatsoever, as he was recently benched for Bobby Hart, who also left Sunday's win over the Titans with a groin injury, thus putting the Bolts in a bigger hole, as Mekhi Becton was out of action yet again, as was Austin Deculus.
At this point in time, the only offensive linemen Jim Harbaugh really has at his disposal are Pipkins, Bradley Bozeman, Zion Johnson, Jamaree Salyer (who took Alt's place), Foster Sarell, and Andre James. That's a problem, one the Bolts should undoubtedly look to address before Tuesday's trade deadline.