Los Angeles Chargers stellar rookie offensive tackle Joe Alt (knee) suffered an MCL sprain in the Week 3 loss to the Pittsburgh Steeler on Sunday and is expected to miss time, according to sources. The good news is Alt isn't expected to need surgery on his knee. In addition to Alt being injured, left tackle Rashawn Slater (pectoral) strained his pectoral muscle against Pittsburgh, and quarterback Justin Herbert (ankle) aggravated his high-ankle sprain. The Chargers have their bye in Week 5, so there's a good chance Alt won't be out there for a big divisional clash against the Kansas City Chiefs this weekend. If Slater also sits out this Sunday, the Chiefs defense could have their way with LA's offensive line. We'll have a better idea of whether the 21-year-old Alt is able to play based on his practice status later this week.
Los Angeles Chargers new head coach Jim Harbaugh named first-round rookie offensive lineman Joe Alt among the five offensive linemen that separated themselves during minicamp this offseason, likely solidifying Alt as the team's starting right tackle come Week 1 of the 2024 regular season. It's more of a formality for Alt, who was almost guaranteed to be a starter based on his draft pedigree alone, but having already been named a starter before the team was even in full pads indicates that Alt has made a positive impact in his first few weeks with the Chargers. "He's got all the right stuff," offensive coordinator Greg Roman said. "He respects the veterans, guys that have done it before him; He's got a great demeanor about him, great work ethic, and he's the kind of guy you want in the foxhole with you."
The Los Angeles Chargers officially signed rookie first-round offensive tackle Joe Alt to a four-year, $33.2 million deal on Monday after he was selected fifth overall in April's NFL draft. Alt was predictably the first offensive tackle off the board in 2024. Although he should eventually be a starting left tackle in the NFL, he'll initially start at right tackle in Los Angeles under new head coach Jim Harbaugh in LA with Rashawn Slater at left tackle. The Bolts are hoping Alt will be part of a much-improved offensive line this year with an added emphasis on the ground game to take pressure off of young quarterback Justin Herbert. The 21-year-old Alt hails out of Notre Dame and stands at 6-foot-8 and 321 pounds. Alt showed in his college career that he can excel in both run-blocking and in pass protection.
The Los Angeles Chargers selected Notre Dame offensive tackle Joe Alt with the fifth overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft on Thursday night. Under new head coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman, the Chargers are unsurprisingly trying to build up their offensive line to help protect their ground game and quarterback Justin Herbert. Alt was the consensus best offensive-line prospect in this year's draft and should be a starter in LA from Day 1 in 2024 at right tackle across from Rashawn Slater on the left side. He stands at 6-foot-8 1/2 and 320 pounds and uses his size and strength to his advantage to climb to the second level. Despite his towering size, he's quick and nasty in the trenches. Not only will Alt help keep Herbert clean in the pocket, but he should be an asset in the run game, too.
Chargers, Titans The Likely Landing Spots For Joe Alt
Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer thinks Notre Dame left tackle Joe Alt will either be taken by the Los Angeles Chargers or Tennessee Titans in the first round of Thursday night's NFL draft. Alt has been compared to Joe Thomas, although Alt is a little bit bigger and longer. The son of an NFL lineman is still learning his position and won't turn 22 years old until after the Super Bowl. One veteran evaluator had Alt behind only Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. among the best players in this year's draft class. The Chargers hold the No. 5 overall pick on Thursday night, while the Titans sit at No. 7. Both teams could use an athletic tackle like Alt, with the Bolts looking to bolster their offensive line while transitioning to more of a run-first offense.
Titans Could Take Joe Alt To Stop Run Of Skill Players
The Athletic's Bruce Feldman has the Tennessee Titans (at No. 7 overall) stopping the position-player run early in the first round of this year's NFL draft by selecting Notre Dame offensive tackle Joe Alt. That will especially be the case if the Titans think quarterback Will Levis has a legitimate chance to be the long-term QB. Alt is the best offensive-line prospect in this year's class and would give Tennessee a strong foundation up front after they took Peter Skoronski in 2023. The 21-year-old Alt impressed at the scouting combine and won't turn 22 until after his rookie year. "I like him a lot. He's as good as I've coached against in a long time. He's athletic. He's big. He's strong. He moves his feet real well. He's never in a bad position and he's never on the ground. Some of these guys, you can get them moving. This dude always had his pads square and played with low pad level," one coach said.
