LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles is expected to be without right tackle Joe Alt for Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos after the Pro Bowl tackle did not practice Wednesday while rehabbing a neck injury suffered last week at Seattle.
Alt sustained the injury against the Seahawks when safety Nick Emmanwori launched himself toward quarterback Justin Herbert in the pocket, missed Herbert and collided with Alt's head instead. Emmanwori, listed at nearly 230 pounds, delivered a violent collision to Alt's head and neck area. Alt had been healthy for the better part of the first four weeks before the hit.
NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported Alt is not expected to play this week against Denver, adding there are no plans to place him on injured reserve. That designation would require a minimum four-game absence, indicating the team does not expect Alt to miss more than three games as he continues to rehab and the Chargers seek further clarity on the injury.
The absence would further thin an already depleted line. Rashawn Slater (high ankle sprain) and Trevor Penning (concussion) are also set to miss this week, leaving Los Angeles to lean on the group that finished the Seahawks game featuring four rookies in Jake Slaughter, Jacob Spomer, Logan Taylor and Travis Burke. If Branson Taylor returns from IR this week, he would likely slot in at left guard and keep Slaughter at center, projecting a lineup from left to right of Logan Taylor, Branson Taylor, Jacob Slaughter, Cole Strange and Travis Burke.