EL SEGUNDO — After routing the Minnesota Vikings last week, after a long weekend to rest and recover from the season’s first eight games and the toll associated with it, the Chargers returned to the practice field Tuesday with their offensive line still in flux, according to Coach Jim Harbaugh.
He said the best five, the healthiest five would start against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday in Nashville. But that was about as much clarification as Harbaugh could provide when pressed by reporters. There were plenty of questions about the O-line’s fitness, though.
Left tackle Joe Alt returned from a three-game layoff because of a sprained right ankle and made a big impact in protecting quarterback Justin Herbert’s blind side. Herbert threw for 227 yards and three touchdowns during the Chargers’ 37-10 victory over the Vikings at SoFi Stadium.
Alt didn’t finish the game, though.
“You know, not at 100%, but his ‘not at 100%’ is one of the best in the league,” Harbaugh said.
Trey Pipkins III didn’t start at right tackle, yielding to Bobby Hart, who replaced him for the past two games because of a knee injury. Pipkins did enter late in the game and replaced Alt with the game well in hand for the Chargers, who also rushed for 207 yards, including 117 by Kimani Vidal.
Right guard Mekhi Becton played only six snaps before exiting the game because of a knee injury that forced Harbaugh to turn to Foster Sarell to play the final 68 snaps. Harbaugh said he believed Becton would practice this week, but he wasn’t clear on who might join Becton and the starters.
If Becton is sound enough to start, that is.
“Bobby’s played great,” Harbaugh said of Hart. “He graded out at 90%, and (earned a) game ball. Nothing but respect for the way Bobby has played, and the same for Foster Sarell, who was also the same grade and really did a great job. So, we’ll do what we do. We’ll go through a week of practice and we’ll get to the game and the best, the healthiest five will start.”
Harbaugh also praised the impact of Alt, who was hurt when New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux fell on his leg as Herbert scrambled for a 24-yard gain during the first quarter of the Chargers’ 21-18 loss on Sept. 28. Alt sat out for the next three games and the Chargers were worse for his absence.
“Presence in the training environment, presence in the meeting room, but especially in the game,” Harbaugh said of Alt, the fifth overall draft pick in 2024. “My kids said, ‘Boy, dad, Joe Alt really made a big difference.’ It’s just that obvious how good of a player he is. So, it was good to have him back.”
The Vikings’ pressure on Herbert was nothing when compared to some recent games. Herbert was sacked only twice and picked apart Minnesota, completing 18 of 25 throws, including six to Ladd McConkey for 88 yards and one touchdown and five to Oronde Gadsden for 77 yards and one TD.
Rookie wide receiver Tre’ Harris caught Herbert’s third TD pass for his first NFL touchdown.
“Huge,” Herbert said of Alt’s return to protect his blind side. “It’s tough to replace a guy like that, you know, as good as he is. I thought the guys stepped up while he was gone and did a great job. It was great to see him to back out there, the energy that he brings, the comfort at left tackle.”
INJURY UPDATES
Harbaugh ruled out the likelihood that cornerback Tarheeb Still would play Sunday because of a knee injury suffered against the Vikings. … Safety Derwin James Jr. practiced with his teammates after he was forced from Thursday’s game in the first quarter because of an ankle injury. … Defensive back Deane Leonard returned to the practice field after the Chargers opened the window for him to return from injured reserve. He has been sidelined since training camp because of an unspecified leg injury … Harbaugh said rookie running back Omarion Hampton is “getting better every day” from an ankle injury and could be activated next week from injured reserve after sitting out his fourth game.