NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Chargers left tackle Joe Alt was carted from the field in the second quarter of their 27-20 victory Sunday over the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium because of a right ankle injury after he was struck from behind by defensive end Sebastian Joseph-Day on an incomplete pass play.
Joseph-Day, a former Charger, tumbled into the back of Alt’s right leg. Alt suffered a sprain to the same ankle during the first quarter of the Chargers’ loss Sept. 28 to the New York Giants and was sidelined for the next three games, returning to play during their victory Oct. 23 over the Minnesota Vikings.
The Chargers’ offensive line has been shorthanded since left tackle Rashawn Slater sustained a season-ending knee injury during training camp. Alt flipped to left tackle from right tackle to replace Slater. Trey Pipkins III then filled Alt’s spot at right tackle before he hurt his knee.
Earlier on Sunday, right tackle Bobby Hart exited the game because of a groin injury when a Titans player fell on the back of his leg as quarterback Justin Herbert dropped to pass with 3:52 left in the first quarter. The Chargers rallied to take a 20-17 lead over the Titans by halftime.
Justin Herbert threw two touchdowns in the first half and Cameron Dicker kicked two field goals, including one from 52 yards with 20 seconds left in the half. Herbert also threw an ill-advised pass intended for Keenan Allen that Tennessee’s Cody Barton returned 24 yards for a touchdown.
The Chargers also gave up a 67-yard punt return for a touchdown by Tennessee’s Chimere Dike. The only points the Chargers’ defense gave up in disjointed first half were a 49-yard field goal by the Titans’ Joey Slye that tied the score 17-17 with 5:02 remaining in the first half.
After a scoreless third quarter, the Chargers extended their lead to 27-17 on Herbert’s 1-yard touchdown run, which capped a 15-play, 99-yard drive over 9:03 that began after a goal-line stand. Linebacker Denzel Perryman stopped Tennessee running back Tony Pollard shy of the goal line.
Slye kicked a 37-yard field goal to cut the Chargers’ lead to 27-20 with 4:19 left in the game.
More to come on this story.