The Los Angeles Chargers currently sit at 3-2 as they look at an injured offensive line. Before the season, head coach Jim Harbaugh lost his tackle Rashawn Slater, who suffered a season-ending tear to his patellar tendon. Now, the team took another hit with tackle Joe Alt’s injury. The list is long before the Week 6 game.

The tackle, who is ruled out of the game, sustained an ankle injury back in Week 4. He hasn’t returned to practice since and unsurprisingly missed the practice on Friday (October 10).

Another player ruled out for the game is wide receiver Derius Davis, who is dealing with a knee injury. He missed the last two games for the Chargers. In his absence, by cornerbacks Tarheeb Still and wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith are expected to step up. This will be the third game this season that he will miss.

Defensive linebacker Da’Shawn Hand sustained a groin injury during the Chargers’ Week 5 loss to the Washington Commanders. And this saw him placed on the Injury reserve. That means the player will miss atleast 4 games before he could return in what could be the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Nov. 9.

His career best was in 2024 when he had 31 tackles, five tackles for loss, and four quarterback hits that secured him a contract with the Chargers. He had started all his games this season for the Chargers.

And one of the worst blows to the Chargers’ offensive line is guard Trey Pipkins. In the same game as Hand, Pipkins sustained a leg injury. Now, with Slater and Pipkins out, there has been more pressure on the quarterback, Justin Herbert.

It has been obvious that the Chargers just haven’t been able to keep Herbert safe lately. In the past three weeks, he’s faced pressure on nearly 43.5 percent of his dropbacks, which is the fourth-highest rate in the league, per TruMedia. He’s also been hit 33 times, more than any other quarterback during that stretch.

Chargers’ coach Harbaugh’s focus has always been on the QB’s protection, and that is exactly where the team needs help. If the Chargers want to stop this losing streak, they’ve got to do a much better job protecting him.

Wide receiver Keenan Allen returned to limited practice after resting midweek. On defense, Bud Dupree and Quentin Johnston practiced in a limited capacity after dealing with hamstring issues, while Denzel Perryman is expected to be available after ankle concerns.

Fullback Scott Matlock and offensive lineman Jamaree Salyer remain questionable after limited work this week. Ja’Sir Taylor, dealing with illness, returned to practice later in the week, but his status remains uncertain.

Now, while guard Mekhi Becton joined the team, he has also struggled with injuries and played only 51 percent of the offensive snaps. It’s been a rough stretch for him. He dealt with food poisoning in Week 1, a concussion in Week 3 that sidelined him through Week 4, and then a hand injury in Week 5. And unlike the pressure rate mentioned before, Herbert’s faced pressure on about 36% of his dropbacks,  when Becton’s been on the field, as per TruMedia.

This might not be good, but better than 44%. Head coach Jim Harbaugh faces a significant challenge in managing rotations and keeping the team competitive. Depth players will need to step up as the Chargers try to navigate this depleted roster.

On the other side, the Miami Dolphins lost two players before the game.

The Miami Dolphins lost Elijah Campbell and Tyrel Dodson

The Dolphins are sitting at 1-4 after a disappointing loss to the Carolina Panthers. Heading to the game, the Dolphins lost two players, defensive back Elijah Campbell and linebacker Tyrel Dodson.

Campbell has recorded just two tackles this season and has been present in five games for the team. This will be his first miss in this game as he is dealing with a Quadricep injury. Another player who is out for the game is Dodson.

The linebacker is still in concussion protocol after getting hurt in the last loss to the Panthers. He might get the chance to be back in the field on Oct. 19. Before that, he’ll need to clear the NFL’s five-step protocol and get back to practice first. Meanwhile, linebacker K.J. Britt will likely step in for him in this must-win for the Dolphins.

Offensive center Aaron Brewer remains questionable after working limited practices with a pectoral injury, while cornerback Storm Duck also practiced in a limited capacity and is listed as questionable with an ankle issue.

Tight end Darren Waller has been managing a hip injury and limited reps after a rest day midweek, and wide receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr. logged full practice on Friday after dealing with a knee concern. Offensive lineman Larry Borom worked through a thumb injury and is expected to play. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa participated fully in practice on Friday despite managing a hip and left thumb injury, keeping him on track to start.

Looking at the injury reports for both teams, the Chargers clearly have the deeper list of absences, with four key players already ruled out and several others questionable heading into the matchup. Miami’s issues are fewer but still impactful, with two starters confirmed out and a handful of others managing injuries in practice. Both teams will need to adjust their game plans accordingly, as availability could play a major role in determining the outcome of this clash.