Alt is unlikely to play Week 5 vs Washington, forcing a patchwork Chargers line around Justin Herbert. The team rotates Jamaree Salyer to left tackle and Foster Sarell to right guard while Mekhi Becton sits, with Alt’s recovery timeline still unclear and no IR designation yet. The instability could test protection and run blocking in a critical early-season matchup.

Fantasy takeaway: monitor Alt’s status and the line’s cohesion, as increased pressure could dampen Herbert’s ceiling. If Salyer and Sarell hold, Herbert could still post solid numbers, but expect more checkdowns and design screens against Washington’s rush.

The Los Angeles Chargers have bolstered their defensive line by selecting Oregon's Jamaree Caldwell with the 86th overall pick in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Caldwell, a 6-foot-2, 332-pound defensive tackle, established himself as a formidable force during his single season at Oregon. Originally starting his collegiate career as an offensive lineman, he transitioned to defensive tackle, earning all-Big Ten honorable mention honors for his outstanding performance.

Although Caldwell did not register any sacks last season, he generated 20 quarterback pressures and demonstrated his run-stopping prowess with a Pro Football Focus run-defense grade of 81.6. For the 2024 season, he recorded 29 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and contributed significantly to the Ducks' defensive success, freeing up his teammates to make plays on the edge.

The Los Angeles Chargers are poised to welcome back their leading rusher, J.K. Dobbins, for their upcoming game against the New England Patriots. Dobbins, who has been sidelined for four games due to a knee injury, participated fully in practice and is currently listed as questionable for the match. His return is particularly crucial as fellow running back Gus Edwards has been ruled out due to an ankle injury, which he sustained during last week's victory over the Denver Broncos and aggravated in practice.

Initially expected to create a formidable duo, the Chargers' running game has struggled in Dobbins' absence, averaging only 3.7 yards per carry and failing to surpass 100 rushing yards in four consecutive games. Dobbins, prior to his injury, had amassed 766 yards and eight touchdowns, putting him on track to become the team's first 1,000-yard rusher since 2017. The Chargers' rushing performance improved last week, breaking a streak of underwhelming outings with a total of 117 yards, highlighted by Edwards' impressive 43-yard run.

As the Chargers sit at 9-6 and aim for a playoff berth, the return of Dobbins has lifted team morale, with center Bradley Bozeman expressing excitement about Dobbins' performance in practice. However, the offensive line will face challenges, as starting right guard Trey Pipkins III is out due to a hip injury, necessitating Jamaree Salyer's promotion to the starting role. Additionally, linebacker Denzel Perryman is also missing due to a groin injury, and several other players are listed as questionable for the game.