Joe Alt Injury News & Updates
Keep up with the latest injuries from the Raiders vs Chargers game on Nov 30, 2025 with our National Football League injury report.Nov 5, 2025
Lands on IR
The Chargers placed Alt (ankle) on injured reserve Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
ANALYSIS
Alt is expected to miss the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery earlier in the week to repair a high ankle sprain. Jamaree Salyer should take over as the team's starting left tackle going forward, while Alt will shift his focus to getting healthy for the 2026 campaign.
Nov 3, 2025
Undergoing season-ending surgery
Alt will have season-ending surgery to repair a right high-ankle sprain that he sustained during the Chargers' 27-20 win over the Titans on Sunday, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Alt missed three games earlier in the season due to the same injury. He was cleared to return Week 8 and started at left tackle in each of the Chargers' last two games, but the injury this time around is severe enough for him to require surgery that will sideline the 2024 first-rounder for the rest of the season. Jamaree Salyer took over at left tackle after Alt's exit, and the former could be the starter at that position for the rest of the season.
Nov 2, 2025
Dealing with familiar injury
Alt is believed to have suffered a right high-ankle sprain in Sunday's 27-20 win over the Titans.
ANALYSIS
Alt was carted off the field in the second quarter, and he's apparently dealing with another high-ankle sprain on his right leg. It's the same injury he suffered in Week 4 against the Giants, but this time it could require a procedure to repair it. The offensive lineman will undergo an MRI on Monday to confirm the diagnosis. If Alt is forced to miss action moving forward, Jamaree Salyer is a top candidate to take over at left tackle.
Nov 2, 2025
Carted off with ankle injury
Alt is questionable to return to Sunday's Week 9 contest versus Tennessee due to an ankle injury.
ANALYSIS
Alt had his lower right leg rolled up on by a defender on a Chargers passing play in the second quarter. He had to be carted off the field, which is generally not a good sign for an in-game return to action, though Alt has been initially deemed questionable. If he needs to miss any time, the loss of one of the league's best offensive tackles would certainly be a big blow to Los Angeles. For now, Jamaree Salyer has entered the game at left tackle.
Oct 23, 2025
Cleared to return Week 8
Alt (ankle) is active for Thursday's game against Minnesota, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
A high-ankle sprain from Week 4 against the Giants prevented Alt from playing in the Chargers' last three games. The second-year lineman has been cleared to play Thursday, and he will slide back into his starting role at left tackle against the Vikings. Starting right tackle Trey Pipkins (knee) has also been cleared to play Week 8.
Oct 22, 2025
Gets listed as questionable
Alt (ankle) is officially listed as questionable for Thursday's game versus the Vikings, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
The Chargers only held a walk-through version of practice Wednesday, and Alt was estimated as a limited participant. Alt told reporters earlier in the week that he wanted to play in Week 8, and the Chargers would be in quite the bind at the tackle position if he had to sit out another week, as both projected starting right tackle Trey Pipkins (knee) and top backup Austin Deculus (ankle) are also designated as questionable for Thursday's contest.
Oct 21, 2025
Manages limited practice Tuesday
Alt (ankle) was a limited participant at practice Tuesday.
ANALYSIS
When asked by reporters if he would play Thursday versus the Vikings, Alt said, "that's the plan," per Kris Rhim of ESPN.com. He could do himself a huge favor on that front by practicing in full Wednesday - otherwise, he'll likely be carrying an injury designation into gameday in Week 8.
Oct 19, 2025
Ruled out against Indianapolis
Alt (ankle) won't play in Sunday's game against the Colts.
ANALYSIS
Alt will miss his third straight game this week, as he is still recovering from an ankle injury he suffered in Week 4. The 2024 first-round pick did return to practice in a limited capacity on Thursday, which is a good sign for his status next week.
Oct 17, 2025
Likely to miss third straight game
Alt (ankle) is doubtful for Sunday's game against the Colts.
ANALYSIS
Alt has made encouraging steps toward a return, practicing for the first time since suffering the ankle injury in Week 4. Though he logged two limited practice sessions, he looks to be headed for a third straight absence.
Oct 16, 2025
Returns to practice Thursday
Alt (ankle) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.
ANALYSIS
Alt sustained a high-ankle sprain in Week 4 against the Giants, which has prevented him from playing or practicing prior to Thursday's session. His ability to practice in a limited capacity is an encouraging sign that he is progressing in his recovery, but he still faces an uphill battle to make his return Sunday against the Colts.
Oct 15, 2025
Sits out another practice Wednesday
Alt (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
Alt continues to be hampered by an ankle injury he suffered in Week 4 against the Giants. He hasn't practiced since he got hurt, though coach Jim Harbaugh said last Wednesday that the second-year offensive tackle is doing "really well." Austin Deculus has been logging starts during Alt's absence.
Oct 10, 2025
Won't play in Week 6
Alt (ankle) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Dolphins.
ANALYSIS
The 2024 first-round pick from Notre Dame sustained a high-ankle sprain in the Week 4 loss to the Giants and hasn't returned to practice since, so his absence Sunday comes as no surprise. Mekhi Becton is likely to slide over and start at left tackle while Alt remains sidelined in Week 6.
Oct 8, 2025
Progressing well
Coach Jim Harbaugh said Wednesday that Alt (ankle) is doing "really well," Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Alt did not participate at practice Wednesday, but his coach's words signal optimism he could return to the field soon. He'll have two more chances to mix back into team activities before the Chargers publish their final practice report of the week Friday.
Oct 3, 2025
Won't suit up Sunday
Alt (ankle) is listed as out for Sunday's game versus the Commanders.
ANALYSIS
Alt was carted off the field in Week 4 against the Giants with a high ankle sprain, so it doesn't come as a surprise that he won't be available in Week 5. In his stead, Austin Deculus is in line to start at left tackle Sunday versus Washington.
Oct 1, 2025
Likely to miss Week 5
Alt is doubtful to play Sunday against Washington, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
Alt was diagnosed with a high-ankle sprain Monday, so this news doesn't come as a significant surprise. Coach Jim Harbaugh also noted that Alt could land on injured reserve, but the team is still making an assessment. That could leave the Chargers without both of their starting tackles for a significant period.
Sep 29, 2025
Diagnosed with high-ankle sprain
Alt has been diagnosed with a high-ankle sprain Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
ANALYSIS
Alt is expected to miss multiple weeks after he was injured in Sunday's loss to the Giants. With Alt joining Rashawn Slater (knee) on the sidelines, the Chargers will essentially be down to third-stringer Austin Deculus at left tackle.
Sep 28, 2025
Won't return vs. NYG
Alt (ankle) has been ruled out for the rest of Sunday's game against the Giants.
ANALYSIS
Alt had to be carted off the field to the locker room, and the initial belief is that the 2024 first-rounder has sustained a high ankle sprain, per Adam Schefter of ESPN. Austin Deculus will remain at left tackle with Alt done for the rest of the game.
Sep 28, 2025
Suffers ankle injury
Alt is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Giants due to an ankle injury.
ANALYSIS
Alt suffered the injury in the first quarter and was carted to the locker room after being examined in the blue medical tent. Austin Deculus has taken over at left tackle and will remain there for as long as Alt is out of the game.
Aug 8, 2025
Moving to LT after Slater injury
Alt is expected to shift to left tackle in the wake of Rashawn Slater's season-ending knee injury, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Alt primarily played left tackle at Notre Dame, so the 2024 fifth overall pick should have little trouble making the switch from right tackle, where he played his rookie year. Trey Pipkins is expected to move into the starting right tackle role. Slater sustained a torn patellar tendon in practice Thursday.
Oct 10, 2024
All Clear
Alt (knee) was a full participant in practice Thursday.
ANALYSIS
Alt sat out Week 4 then returned as a limited participant Wednesday after the team's Week 5 bye. He now appears to be recovered from his sprained MCL and should be the Chargers' starting right tackle against the Broncos on Sunday.
Oct 9, 2024
Limited Wednesday
Alt (knee) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.
ANALYSIS
Wednesday's limited practice session indicates that Alt may be nearing a return to the field after spraining his MCL during the Chargers' Week 3 loss to the Steelers. Alt's participation Thursday and Friday will provide a better indication on whether he will be able to return for the Chargers' Week 6 matchup against the Broncos.
Sep 29, 2024
Officially inactive for Week 4
Alt (knee) is inactive for Sunday's game against Kansas City.
ANALYSIS
Alt was listed as doubtful for Sunday's game due to an MCL sprain he suffered in Week 3 against the Steelers. The Chargers are on a bye Week 5, which gives Alt some additional time to rest up before Week 6 against the Broncos on Oct. 13. Foster Sarell will take over as the starting left tackle and be tasked with protecting Justin Herbert's blindside.
Sep 28, 2024
Doubtful for Sunday
Alt (knee) has been downgraded to doubtful ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Chiefs.
ANALYSIS
The 2024 first-round pick has been playing like one of the best tackles in the NFL, but he sustained an MCL sprain during the Chargers' Week 3 loss to the Steelers and is now expected to miss Week 4. While Alt recovers from his knee issue, expect Foster Sarell to serve as the Chargers' starting right tackle.
Sep 23, 2024
Likely to miss time
Alt suffered a sprained MCL in Sunday's loss to the Steelers and is expected to miss Week 4 against the Chiefs, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
Alt's absence for this Sunday's game is not a guarantee, but Schefter suggests with a Week 5 bye, the Chargers will play it cautious and give him a couple of weeks to recuperate. A clearer picture of his status for Kansas City will likely come when the team releases its injury report Wednesday.
Download the app