NFL: Preseason-San Diego Chargers at Minnesota Vikings Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images

4 Chargers Offensive Linemen Officially Listed As Questionable Heading into TNF vs. Vikings

Originally posted on LAFB Network | By Ryan Anderson | Last updated Oct 22, 2025 6:17 PM ET

The Los Angeles Chargers are limping toward Thursday Night Football, but there’s cautious optimism that reinforcements may be coming just in time.

Chargers Battling the Injury Bug

Kris Rhim of ESPN reported that three offensive linemen — Joe Alt, Trey Pipkins, Jamaree Salyer, and Austin Deculus — are listed as questionable for Thursday night’s matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, along with defensive lineman Jamaree Caldwell. Running back Hassan Haskins, meanwhile, has officially been ruled out with a hamstring injury.

Rookie left tackle Joe Alt, who’s been battling an ankle injury, told reporters that he expects to return this week.

“Q to Joe Alt: ‘Are we gonna see you Thursday?’ Alt: ‘That’s the plan,’” Rhim relayed.

Alt’s presence would be a massive lift for an offensive line that has struggled to protect Justin Herbert during a 1–3 stretch after a 3–0 start.

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Harbaugh: “He’s Doing Anything and Everything He Can to Play”

4 Chargers Offensive Linemen Officially Listed As Questionable Heading into TNF vs. Vikings 1 Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Is Jim Harbaugh The Real Life Ted Lasso?

Head coach Jim Harbaugh sounded encouraged by Alt’s progress, praising the rookie’s relentless work ethic.

“He’s doing anything and everything he can to play,” Harbaugh said Tuesday. Alt himself said that he was planning to play on TNF.

Alt practiced earlier this week — his first full session in two weeks — and appears to be trending upward. Right tackle Trey Pipkins, sidelined the past two games with a knee issue, is also a game-time decision.

“Possible. We’ll see today,” Harbaugh added. “Those will be game-time decisions, day-of-game decisions.”

Running Backs Remain Thin as Trade Deadline Nears

4 Chargers Offensive Linemen Officially Listed As Questionable Heading into TNF vs. Vikings 2 Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Haskins’ absence leaves Kimani Vidal and Nyheim Miller-Hines as the Chargers’ only healthy backs. The team recently added Trayveon Williams to the practice squad, but the depth concerns have extended to the trade market.

As The Athletic’s Daniel Popper noted this week, “the more likely position to target is running back,” given that both Omarion Hampton (ankle) and Najee Harris (Achilles) are on injured reserve. Popper also pointed out that offensive tackle help “is hard to find on the trade market,” though The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported the Chargers are “exploring running back and offensive line depth” ahead of the Nov. 4 deadline.

Short Week, Big Stakes

At 4–3, Los Angeles remains in the AFC playoff race but can’t afford to slide further. Harbaugh and his staff are “taking it one day at a time,” but with multiple linemen questionable and the Vikings’ blitz-heavy defense looming, Joe Alt’s return could determine whether the Chargers steady their season or face more turbulence under the primetime lights.

This article first appeared on LAFB Network and was syndicated with permission.

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