Joe Alt, the Los Angeles Chargers left tackle, will miss the remainder of the season due to surgery, his team announced. He sustained a high right ankle sprain in Sunday’s game at the Tennessee Titans. In the second quarter, Titans defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day went down and landed on Alt’s right ankle. The accidental deletion proved to be a huge blow to both Alt and the three-person team behind it.
The Chargers have announced on Monday that Alt’s surgery to repair that injury is required. For Alt, this is now his second high ankle injury of the season. He had just recently exited the Week 4 game against the New York Giants on a medical cart and missed three games due to a similar issue.
Make no mistake, Joe Alt changed the game on the field. So much so that since he’s been in the lineup, the Chargers have posted an incredible 80 QBR under center. Their QBR falls to a measly 56 without him. When it comes to the team’s performance on the field, his absence will be likely felt most strongly. Without him, their pass block win rate has inexplicably dropped to a league low 48%. The Chargers’ record certainly indicates just how important he is to the team. Their 4-0 record this season when he’s able to play all four quarters contrasts starkly with their 2-3 mark when he is not.
The injury could not have come at a worse time for Los Angeles, who are up against it with their postseason hopes. Right tackle Bobby Hart also left Sunday’s game in the first quarter due to injury, compounding the team’s offensive line woes. Head coach Jim Harbaugh said as much when he shared his sadness for Alt’s situation and confidence in the team’s depth to adjust.
“I feel bad for Joe, but I know it’s going to be OK,” – Jim Harbaugh
Harbaugh knew the holes the Alt injury would leave him. While none were obviously ideal, he was adamant that the team must continue to grow in spite of them.
“It’s adversity, and you just do the best you can and get better,” – Jim Harbaugh
The Chargers are preparing for their next battles. They need to address these injuries directly and find ways to remain competitive while protecting players on the field. Joe Alt’s injury might be considered a first-round knockout for the season. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how Los Angeles responds in the weeks to come.
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