The Los Angeles Chargers have dealt with several key injuries to begin the season, and that didn't change in Week 4. In the first quarter against the New York Giants, quarterback Justin Herbert took off for a long run. It was a brilliant play, but left tackle Joe Alt was on the ground in pain after the play.
Alt, who is 22 years old, hobbled to the sideline before being carted off the field, according to Art Stapleton of USA Today. That's a tough loss for the Chargers, as Alt is considered one of the best young offensive tackles in the league.
“Chargers left tackle Joe Alt is down after that long Herbert run for a first down. He's hobbling off… Joe Alt just went off on a cart to the locker room.”
Shortly after being carted off, it was announced that Alt was deemed questionable to return with an ankle injury, per Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Not long after that, Alt was ruled out, and both Rapoport and ESPN's Adam Schefter said the early diagnosis is a high ankle sprain. X-rays were negative.
Los Angeles moved Alt to right tackle during his rookie season, despite the fact that he played on the left side throughout his entire football career before that. However, starting left tackle Rashawn Slater fell to a season-ending torn patella injury before the start of the 2025 campaign. As a result, the Chargers moved Joe Alt back to the left side and named Trey Pipkins III as the starting right tackle.
The hope is Joe Alt won't have to miss too much time, but it does seem like he'll be out for a bit.
