Chargers' Joe Alt Will Have Season-Ending Surgery After Ankle Injury vs. Titans

The Los Angeles Chargers took a major hit to their offensive line following Sunday's win over the Tennessee Titans.

Per ESPN's Kris Rhim, offensive tackle Joe Alt will have season-ending ankle surgery after suffering a high right ankle sprain. Los Angeles previously lost its other starting offensive tackle, Rashawn Slater, to a season-ending injury.

Alt was carted off the field during Sunday's win after a Titans player fell into his right leg in the second quarter. Los Angeles hung on to win 27-20.

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"Feel bad for Joe," Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said. "I know it's going to be OK. It's not going to be life-altering. Feel bad for him."

It's the second time this season the second-year player has suffered a high right ankle sprain. The first one came in Week 4 against the New York Giants, but he returned to action after just three games sidelined.

Alt, the fifth overall pick in last year's NFL draft, has already established himself as one of the best offensive tackles in the league. Pro Football Focus ranks him as the No. 9 tackle with a grade of 79.0, and his pass-blocking grade of 82.3 ranks seventh among tackles.

The Chargers have been without Slater for the entire season after he suffered a season-ending ruptured patella in August, leaving Los Angeles without its two-time Pro Bowler at right tackle.

Harbaugh said the Chargers will use a combination of Jamaree Salyer, Trey Pipkins III and Austin Deculus at tackle moving forward.

"It played out in the game and you saw how the guys responded. That's something about our team that I really admire," Harbaugh said. "There was a lot to overcome in that game Sunday and our guys found a way and overcame it. I would've been surprised if they hadn't, how good I know this team. You just keep going, keep getting better, build, get better."

The Chargers improved to 6-3 with Sunday's win and currently sit in second place in the AFC West behind the 7-2 Denver Broncos. Los Angeles is hoping to secure its first division crown since 2009 this year, but the absence of Alt will make that a much more difficult task.