Chargers Could Be Getting Joe Alt Back Soon

The Los Angeles Chargers may finally be getting some good news on the injury front, as right tackle Joe Alt was seen going through drills on Wednesday. With the team desperately needing help along the offensive line, Alt’s return to the field would be a welcome sight for an offense that has struggled mightily this season.

Alt has been sidelined with a neck injury that he suffered during the Chargers’ Week 4 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. He was forced to leave that game early and has missed the team’s subsequent matchups against the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs. His absence has been a significant blow to an offensive line that was already dealing with several injuries.

The Chargers entered the season hoping their offensive line would provide Justin Herbert with the protection he needs to succeed. Instead, injuries have forced the team to rely on inexperienced players and shuffle the lineup. With Rashawn Slater already out for the season, losing Alt has made an already difficult situation even worse.

Seeing Alt back on the field going through drills is certainly an encouraging development. However, it is important not to get ahead of ourselves. Participating in drills does not necessarily mean a player is ready to return to game action, especially when dealing with a neck injury. The Chargers will need to evaluate his progress and determine whether he is ready to handle the physical demands of playing in an NFL game.

Still, the timing could not be much better for Los Angeles. The Chargers are coming off another disappointing loss and sit at 0-6 heading into their bye week. With the season quickly slipping away, getting some of their key players healthy should be a priority as they try to figure out what went wrong and whether they can salvage anything from the remainder of the year.

Alt’s potential return would be particularly important for Herbert. The Chargers’ franchise quarterback has endured a difficult stretch, dealing with pressure and an offense that has struggled to find consistency. While the offensive line is far from the only problem, giving Herbert better protection would at least provide him with a better opportunity to get back on track.

It would also give the coaching staff a chance to evaluate what this offense can look like with more of its starting personnel available. Mike McDaniel’s offense has yet to produce the results many expected, and the constant injuries have made it difficult to establish any sort of rhythm. Getting Alt back could help provide some much-needed stability.

Of course, the Chargers need to be careful with their young offensive tackle. There is little reason to rush him back before he is medically cleared, particularly with the team sitting at 0-6. His long-term health is far more important than trying to force a return for a season that has already gone off the rails.

The Chargers have a bye week to get healthy before facing the Los Angeles Rams on November 1. If Alt continues making progress, there is reason to be optimistic about his chances of returning soon. Wednesday’s work on the practice field is an encouraging first step, but his participation throughout the week and the team’s medical evaluation will ultimately determine when he can suit up again.

For a Chargers team that desperately needs something to go right, seeing Alt back on the field is certainly a positive development. Now, fans will have to wait and see whether this is the beginning of a return or simply another step in his recovery.