If the LA Chargers’ 2024 season takes a turn for the worse, Week 3 will be remembered as the turning point when things began to decline. This isn’t due to their first loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but rather the injuries sustained during that game. Los Angeles lost four first-round picks: Justin Herbert, Joey Bosa, Rashawn Slater, and Joe Alt, all of whom left the game early. Of these, only Herbert played in Week 4 against the Kansas City Chiefs, though he was clearly not at full strength.
The Chargers’ Week 5 bye arrived at a crucial moment, providing these players with a chance to rest and recover without the pressure of an upcoming game. However, considering the team’s performance over the past two weeks, they aren’t using this bye as a break. Jim Harbaugh has the team practicing, aiming to improve as they approach Week 6. Surprisingly, Alt participated in the first practice of the week on Wednesday. Although there are no official injury designations since it’s not a game week, fans remain hopeful based on Wednesday’s practice reports.
Bye week practice for the Chargers. Joe Alt is out here, don’t see Justin Herbert.
Derwin Hames is back too pic.twitter.com/zWUBIX9M3t
— Kris Rhim (@krisrhim1) October 2, 2024
Chargers may have dodged a serious injury scare with Joe Alt. After Week 3, the initial assessment was an MCL sprain, leading to uncertainty about his recovery timeline. The distinction between a grade 1 and a grade 3 injury can significantly affect how long a player is sidelined, and that information wasn’t immediately available. Although the Chargers haven’t officially disclosed the grade of Alt’s strain, their actions speak volumes. His participation in practice and being listed as questionable rather than out for Week 4 suggest that he likely has a grade 1 strain and could be back sooner than anticipated. While nothing is certain, the current trajectory suggests Alt might return in Week 6 against the Denver Broncos.
Alt has quickly proven to be an above-average right tackle, and his return would be a major boost for the Chargers, especially with Slater potentially facing a longer recovery due to a torn pectoral. The Chargers seem to be preparing for this scenario, as Alt was practicing at left tackle on Wednesday. With Slater’s situation still uncertain, Alt’s swift recovery is a significant advantage for the team.
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