Chargers OT Joe Alt Expected To Miss Week 5

The Chargers will have to navigate yet another injury to their offensive line. Days after learning that left tackle Rashawn Slater will be shut down with a high ankle sprain, we’re now learning that right tackle Joe Alt is expected to miss Week 5 with a neck injury, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Alt suffered the injury during Sunday’s loss to the Seahawks, limiting him to only 26 offensive snaps. Rapoport notes that the offensive tackle continues to rehab the injury, and for the time being, there’s no plans for an IR stint.

It’s an unfortunate development for the former fifth-overall pick. Alt made it through his rookie campaign relatively unscathed, but a pair of ankle injuries limited him to only six appearances in 2025. While the Chargers offense has struggled mightily in 2026, their star offensive tackle looked back to normal, with Pro Football Focus ranking him 18th among 69 qualifying OTs. The site also credited Alt with only three pressures allowed and zero sacks allowed through four games this year.

With Slater expected to miss some time with his ankle injury, the Chargers will have to navigate holes at both their OT positions. Swing tackle Trey Pipkins landed on IR last month with a knee injury, forcing the team to rely on a pair of rookies on Sunday in fourth rounder Travis Burke and sixth rounder Logan Taylor. The team is also rostering veteran Trevor Penning.

Chargers fans are surely thinking back to the 2025 campaign, when the OL struggled without both Slater and Alt in the lineup. As Justin Herbert and co. look to turn around their tough start to the 2026 season, they’ll be facing a similar obstacle once again.