The Los Angeles Chargers are already without left tackle Rashawn Slater. In Week 4, the team may have suffered yet another devastating loss on the offensive line, as 2024 first-round pick Joe Alt was carted to the locker room in the team’s 21-18 loss to the New York Giants in Week 4.

Alt appeared to sustain the injury during a Justin Herbert scramble. Alt was able to limp off the field on his own, but was later spotted taking a cart to the locker room.

The team quickly deemed Alt questionable to return due to an ankle injury. After being evaluated, Alt came out after halftime in street clothes. He had a boot on his lower right leg.

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Shortly after Alt was spotted, the Chargers officially ruled him out for the rest of the game.

The belief is that Alt is dealing with a high-ankle sprain, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Without Alt in the lineup, Herbert found himself under pressure quite a bit against a tough New York Giants front.

The added rush caused Herbert to struggle during the contest. He finished the game 23 of 41, with 203 passing yards. Herbert threw one touchdown against two interceptions in the loss.

The Alt injury may have played a major role in the Chargers dropping their first game of the season. Heading into Week 5, the Chargers sit at 3-1.

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The Giants, on the other hand, picked up their first win of the season. While Herbert struggled, Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart looked like a difference-maker for New York.

Alt, 22, stabilized the team’s offensive line after he was drafted with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Alt started 16 games as a rookie, earning down-ballot Rookie of the Year votes. Alt was the only lineman to receive votes for the award.

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Alt was out to yet another excellent start to the season in 2025. Through three games, Alt ranked as the fourth-best tackle in the NFL this season, per PFF’s metrics.

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Thanks to Alt, and the rest of the team’s offensive line, Herbert was out to a fantastic start in 2025 before Week 4. Entering Sunday, Herbert was completing 66.7% of his passes, with six touchdowns against one interception.

Herbert’s numbers took a hit against the Giants, and now the Chargers will need to figure out how to keep their franchise passer upright if Alt needs to miss additional time.