Chargers LT Joe Alt could be back sooner rather than later after avoiding IR

Joe Alt left last week's Giants game with an ankle injury after playing just 10 snaps. He was seen leaving the game in a walking boot, fueling speculation it could be a lengthier injury timeline. Alt did not practice this week and was ruled out from Sunday's game vs. Washington. HC Jim Harbaugh said Alt was "doubtful" to play in Sunday's game before the week's first practice even took place on Wednesday. However, it seems like the Chargers could get a positive result for Alt's timeline considering how severe the injury initially looked. The Chargers only elevated RB Kimani Vidal and EDGE Clelin Ferrell in Saturday's pregame Commanders Week 5 moves. Traditionally, the Chargers have used the Saturday before a Sunday game to place players on designated for return IR. There was no such transaction with Alt this week. If Alt was placed on IR this week, he would've had to miss the team's next four games. That would've put him on pace to miss a month with his earliest possible return date being the Titans game in W