'I Don't Know How Justin Herbert Is Still Alive With That OL,' Says NFL Exec Before Playoffs

At least one NFL executive is impressed with Justin Herbert's success in leading his team into the playoffs despite playing behind an offensive line missing Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater, according to The Athletic's Jeff Howe.

"The Chargers have done more with injuries than any team should be able to do," the executive told Howe. "I don't know how Justin Herbert is still alive with that offensive line. It's impressive how many games they've won just by being a sound football team, tough and resilient."

Howe's report comes days before the Chargers are set to take on the New England Patriots in the Wild Card round with an offensive line of Trey Pipkins III, Mekhi Becton, Bradley Bozeman, Zion Johnson and Jamaree Salyer.

The Bolts have spent the entirety of the 2025 campaign without Slater, who suffered a season-ending torn patellar tendon in August.

The offensive line suffered another major blow on Nov. 2 when Alt, who had shifted to left tackle in Slater's absence, went down with a season-ending high ankle injury in Week 9.

Alt had allowed just one sack, two hits and seven pressures in 312 offensive snaps played prior to his injury, per Pro Football Focus.

His absence, coupled with Slater's, has combined with Herbert taking increased contact during the 2025 season.

The quarterback finished the season with a career-high 54 sacks, just one shy of the season high set by the Las Vegas Raiders' Geno Smith and Tennessee Titans' Cam Ward.

The Chargers, meanwhile, rotated through 25 different offensive line combinations during the regular season, per The Athletic's Daniel Popper.

Bolts offensive coordinator Greg Roman told reporters Thursday that adjusting for OL injuries has required more and more preparation throughout the season.

"When Slater got hurt, I started waking up in the four in the morning. When [running back Najee Harris] went down, I was waking up at 3:30. When Joe went down, I wake up at 2:30," Roman said. "Just gotta work harder, gotta find solutions.

"I like how these guys are stepping in and stepping up, though. This season really, moving forward, we know who we have... and I feel good about that."

The Patriots could be dealing with their own player availability issues after head coach Mike Vrabel told reporters Wednesday his team is dealing with an illness in the locker room.

The Chargers and Patriots are set to kick off with a trip to the divisional round on the line in Foxborough this Sunday at 8:15 p.m. ET.