Chargers' potential starting offensive line vs. Chiefs is legitimately terrifying

Week 3 was a bad week for the LA Chargers for the second year in a row. Just like a year ago, the Bolts suffered several injuries in Week 3 that could end up impacting the rest of the 2024 season.

Justin Herbert aggravating his high ankle sprain was the biggest story of the game but thankfully, it does not appear Herbert will have a long-term setback. The star quarterback said he expects to play in Week 4 against the Chiefs, even saying he is in less pain now than last week.

Joey Bosa, Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt were all injured in the game and did not practice on Wednesday. With a loaded edge-rusher room, playing without Bosa is not an insurmountable task for the Bolts. However, the same cannot be said about playing without Alt and Slater.

And to make matters worse, starting right guard (and backup tackle) Trey Pipkins also logged a DNP in Wednesday's practice. Pipkins' absence was a surprise and created a truly horrifying offensive line group for Herbert to play behind.

Chargers offensive line could be in pieces vs. Chiefs

Alt is definitely going to miss Sunday's game with an MCL sprain and there is a good chance Slater will miss the game with a strained pec (although his injury does not appear to be as serious as Alt's). Pipkins' status is the most up in the air as his injury was a surprise.

Regardless, there is a good chance the Chargers will be without three starting offensive linemen against the Chiefs and the unit the team is running out is legitimately scary. If all three players are out, based on these practice observations, the Chargers' starting offensive line against the Chiefs would look as follows:

• Left tackle: Foster Sarell
• Left guard: Zion Johnson
• Center: Bradley Bozeman
• Right guard: Sam Mustipher
• Right tackle: Jamaree Salyer

Chargers fans are all too familiar with Foster Sarell, who has had to spot-start for the Bolts in the past due to injuries. Sarell has had some good moments with the Chargers but for the most part is has been extremely underwhelming. Heading out of the 2023 season, it was unclear if he would even stick around on the Chargers.

Jamaree Slayer excelled in his role at tackle in his rookie season but could not follow that up with a strong season in his sophomore year. There is potential he can find his rookie-year form at tackle but against a stout Chiefs offensive line it is a big ask.

Mustipher is on the practice squad and has only played center in his NFL career. The Baltimore Ravens opted not to re-sign Mustipher, who then was released by the Denver Broncos after signing a one-year deal with them.

And finally, the Chargers have two starters in Johnson and Bozeman who have struggled to start the 2024 season. The two worst starting offensive linemen from the starting group are the only two offensive linemen who are healthy.