There isn’t an offensive lineman in the league who has more impact on his team’s performance than Alt. He left Sunday’s win over Tennessee on a cart after sustaining another high sprain to his right ankle, and every person associated with the Chargers franchise had to be holding their breath as he was wheeled away. Alt moved from right tackle to left tackle at the start of the season after Rashawn Slater, the normal starter on the blind side, sustained a season-ending knee injury. Alt played brilliantly as the Chargers jumped out to a 3-0 start, then went down with his first high ankle sprain in a Week 4 loss to the Giants. There have been other injuries to the Chargers’ offensive line, but the pressure that quarterback Justin Herbert faces when Alt is out reaches a different level. Herbert’s two worst games this season came in losses to the Giants and Commanders — when Alt was hurt — and he’s also taken 16 sacks in the five games in which his star lineman either missed entirely or exited with an injury (including six against the Titans). The Chargers also are 5-1 when Alt plays and 1-2 when he doesn’t. Any time he misses will have a great impact on the Bolts’ postseason goals.
EDITOR’S UPDATE: A team spokesman announced on Monday afternoon that Alt will undergo season-ending ankle surgery.
