PFF scores highlight the nightmarish reality of the Chargers' offensive line

The LA Chargers have not been able to properly protect Justin Herbert. Part of that is certainly recent injuries to Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater, who were both out of action vs. Kansas City in Week 4. Herbert was pressured on 51.7% of his dropbacks against the Chiefs. That's the fourth-highest pressure figure in any game of his five year career.

But the issues didn't just start against the Chiefs, or even the Steelers the week before when Alt and Slater first were injured.

Some of the Chargers' key offensive line starters just haven't been performing all that well in pass protection. Los Angeles' pass-blocking grades on Pro Football Focus leading into the bye highlight this reality.

Chargers' interior offensive line is as bad as it gets in pass blocking

Three of the Chargers' starters outside of Alt and Slater have pass-blocking grades below 50 for the season. Zion Johnson and Sam Mustipher both came away with grades of 0.0 out of true pass sets that Los Angeles ran.

It goes without saying that when your two top tackles are out in addition to the interior offensive line underperforming, it's going to be a tough day going against DC Steve Spagnuolo and star DT Chris Jones.

It's also evident that the Chargers might have a bit of an entropy problem. Trey Pipkins has now taken snaps at right guard, left tackle, and right tackle this season. Jamaree Salyer went from 16 snaps at right guard vs. Pittsburgh to 56 snaps at left tackle vs. Kansas City. With the base offensive line struggling enough at successfully picking up stunts in the first 2.5 games of the season, moving linemen around to the degree that they've needed to has probably not helped.

There are some potential bright spots to look for as far as improvement going forward though. Obviously, Alt and Slater returning would be a huge boon for the offensive line. The pressure rates on Herbert have been more stable when both are in the lineup together.

Alt (MCL sprain) seems a bit closer to returning than Slater (pec strain). He worked off to the side before the Kansas City game before eventually being declared out on Saturday. Alt practiced this Wednesday during the bye week, per reporters. It's worth noting that there are no official injury reports this week.

Getting even one of Alt or Slater back would at least allow the Chargers to avoid playing Mustipher on the interior. He had a PFF pass blocking grade of 21.5 vs. Kansas City with the aforementioned 0.0 score out of true pass sets.

The Chargers will have their hands full from a pass-blocking perspective as they come out of the byw week. The Denver Broncos lead the league in pass rush win rate with key performances from Zach Allen, Malcolm Roach, D.J. Jones, and Nik Bonitto.