The Los Angeles Chargers are facing a slew of injuries ahead of their monumental home game against the Kansas City Chiefs this Sunday. The latest blow comes as rookie right tackle Joe Alt could be sidelined with a sprained anterior cruciate ligament, as reported by ESPN on Monday.
Alt, the highly-touted fifth overall pick in this year’s NFL draft, suffered the injury in the fourth quarter of the Chargers’ 20-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. The incident occurred when Pittsburgh’s defensive tackle Cameron Heyward lunged at Alt’s right leg during Los Angeles’ final offensive drive.
NFL Network further reported that while Alt will not require surgery, he is expected to be out “for some time.”
To make matters more challenging, this injury comes right after left tackle Rashawn Slater exited the field with a pectoral injury earlier in the game. Slater’s status for Kansas City remains uncertain.
And the hits just keep on coming for the Chargers. Quarterback Justin Herbert aggravated a sprained ankle in the third quarter against the Steelers and was seen leaving the stadium in a walking boot. Despite coach Jim Harbaugh confirming that X-rays of Herbert’s right ankle came back negative, Herbert’s availability for Sunday is still up in the air.
Adding onto the stress, star defenseman Joey Bosa also exited Sunday’s game early as he continues to grapple with a nagging hip injury. His participation in the upcoming game is also in doubt.
The Chargers enter this critical match with the Chiefs with their roster being severely tested. As fans, we can only hope for fortitude and resilience from the Chargers as they navigate through this challenging time. Stay tuned for what promises to be a high-stakes showdown in the City of Angels!
