Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh. Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Chargers' Jim Harbaugh tries to rally team amid Joe Alt news

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Nov 4, 2025 8:03 AM ET

The Los Angeles Chargers are 6-3 and in the thick of things in the AFC West and the AFC in general, but they just announced some news that could really impact the rest of their 2025 season.

Joe Alt, their star left tackle, left the Chargers' 27-20 win over the Tennessee Titans in Week 9 in the second quarter. Titans defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day fell into Alt's right ankle as he was rushing quarterback Justin Herbert.

It was an awkward-looking injury because Alt was facing the other way, so Joseph-Day buckled the 6-foot-8, 322-pounder's leg from underneath him.

Alt had to be carted off the field, and it's not being reported that he'll be lost for the rest of the 2025 season and will be undergoing surgery to repair the high-ankle injury on his right leg.

"I feel bad for Joe," coach Jim Harbaugh said, according to Kris Rhim of ESPN. "But I know it's going to be OK."

Alt is in his second season out of Notre Dame after being selected by the Chargers with the fifth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. He started 16 games as a rookie and was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.

Breaking: Chargers LT Joe Alt will undergo season-ending ankle surgery, the team announced. pic.twitter.com/lRLt5tb3rV
— ESPN (@espn) November 3, 2025

Los Angeles Chargers dealing with significant injuries

The loss of Alt is a huge blow for the Chargers, but it's not the only significant injury they have suffered in 2025.

In fact, Alt had to be moved from right tackle to left tackle earlier this season when Pro Bowl left tackle Rashawn Slater suffered a season-ending patellar tendon rupture in his left knee during training camp.

Veteran running back Najee Harris had a season-ending Achilles tendon rupture in Week 4. In Week 5, backup running back Omarion Hampton landed on the injured reserve with an ankle injury. Another running back, Hassan Haskins, is also on the IR with a hamstring injury.

Right guard Mekhi Becton has been dealing with a knee injury, and he didn't play against the Titans.

The Chargers have to be thanking their lucky stars that Herbert is still healthy, but with his offensive line banged up all around him, that may not last for the rest of this season.

Ultimately, though, according to Harbaugh, this is just part of the gig. It's what you do in the NFL, the ultimate "next man up" league.

"It's adversity, and you just do the best you can and get better," Harbaugh said. "Never give up. Those three key elements, and yeah, maybe a lesser team, a lesser man wouldn't find a way to do that, but that's what we do."

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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