The Los Angeles Chargers’ offensive line took a gut punch, plummeting to a dismal 29th out of 32 starting groups in Pro Football Focus’ latest rankings. For anyone who watched our Seattle Seahawks handle business against them, this drop won’t come as a shock.
From Bad To Worse: The Bolts’ OL Meltdown
Let’s be real, things weren’t exactly sunshine and rainbows for the Bolts’ offensive line after the first three weeks of the season, when PFF had them sitting at a middling 18th among all starting units. But that was just the appetizer before the full-blown disaster. The wheels truly came off after their loss to *our* Seahawks, combined with the crushing news that left tackle Rashawn Slater was sidelined with a high ankle sprain. That injury is expected to keep him out for a painful 4-to-6 weeks. Ouch.
PFF analyst Gordon McGuinness didn’t mince words in his latest rankings. He straight up said, “The Chargers lost left tackle Rashawn Slater to an injury that is expected to keep him out 4-to-6 weeks, meaning that Joe Alt will likely kick back over to left tackle this week as they take on the Denver Broncos , assuming Alt is healthy after leaving Sunday’s game with a neck injury himself. At one point during the loss to the Seattle Seahawks, right guard Cole Strange was the only starting offensive lineman still on the field in the same position in which he had started the season.” Seriously, folks, that’s not just bad luck, that’s a unit in absolute shambles, and we saw it all unfold on our turf.
Who’s Even Left? Justin Herbert’s Nightmare Scenario
The uncertainty around the Chargers’ line this week is just brutal. It’s still up in the air if Joe Alt, who already dealt with a neck injury, will even be healthy enough to play. And don’t forget Trevor Penning, who’s still stuck in concussion protocol. If both of those guys can’t go against the Denver Broncos this week? Get ready for a truly wild ride. The Chargers would be forced to roll out the same patched-together group that finished Sunday’s loss, a lineup that included a whopping four rookies, with Cole Strange as the sole veteran standing in his original spot. McGuinness put it best, and we echo it from the Emerald City: “Lord help Justin Herbert.”
This week, as they face the Denver Broncos, the Chargers are staring down a desperate situation. Can they cobble together an offensive line that can protect their franchise quarterback, or will Herbert be running for his life all game? It’s going to be a tough watch for their fans, and honestly, we’ll be watching too, just to see if that O-line can even survive.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bolts from the Blue.
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