After 3 wins in the season, the Chargers‘ head coach Jim Harbaugh suffered setbacks by losing 2 games. Now, he wants his stars back. One of them is LT Joe Alt, the protector of QB Justin Herbert. They carted him off in 1st quarter of week 4 against the Giants, later confirming the ankle injury.

ESPN reporter Kris Rhim reported on October 8 that Alt was walking around the locker room without a walking boot. Even the coach had earlier revealed that he’s doing “really well.” If you look at the current Chargers’ performance, he is coming back at a crucial time. They need to bounce from back-to-back defeats. Wihtout solid offensive protection, Herbert has also slipped to 8th in passing yards (1229).

Herbert has been sacked 16 times in 5 games (3rd most after week 5). The TD-INT. Ratio has also gone up 8-4. That’s 5th most turnovers among the starters. After losing week 4, the coach had said, “I know my team. I know they’re gonna step up.” Alt’s ankle injury had significantly impacted them. This year, in 4 games, he played 81% of the Chargers’ offensive snaps (219) and 14% safety snaps (14).

Joe Al played 16 games in 2024 for the Los Angeles Chargers, starting all of them at right tackle. He logged 1,011 offensive snaps (100%), no defensive snaps, and 74 special teams snaps (17%). The 5th overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft gives stability to their offensive line. So, Jim Harbaugh wants him at the earliest.

This is happening while the coach is busy making other moves. A defensive star just landed in Inglewood, Los Angeles.

Jim Harbaugh signs a linebacker

They also got Odafe Oweh and a draft pick from the Ravens by giving them DB Alohi Gilman. “He’s a lot like Khalil Mack. Direct rusher, but has speed, has depth, has ability to set the edge. Been a very good, productive young player in his prime,” the coach said while praising him.

The Chargers’ edge rush has struggled without linebacker Khalil Mack, who’s been out with an elbow injury. He suffered the blow during the week 2 game against the Raiders. His absence has slowed down the unit’s explosiveness and pass-rush pressure. Linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu has been the main force so far, ranking in the NFL’s top 10 with 27 quarterback pressures, 19 hurries, and 4 sacks.

Still, the team has lacked a consistent finisher, someone who can close plays and create turnovers. That’s why Los Angeles traded for Odafe Oweh.

The 26-year-old edge rusher brings production and speed off the edge. Over his NFL career, Oweh has played 66 games with 148 tackles, 23 sacks, 7 forced fumbles, and 3 recoveries. His best year came in 2024, when he recorded 39 tackles, 10 sacks, and a forced fumble for the Baltimore Ravens. Earlier seasons showed steady growth, too. 5 sacks and 3 forced fumbles as a rookie in 2021, 3 sacks in 2022, and 5 more in 2023.

Before the trade, Oweh appeared in 5 games for Baltimore in 2025, adding 10 tackles. His numbers prove he can consistently get to the quarterback, something the Chargers badly need right now. With Tuipulotu applying steady pressure and Oweh bringing burst and finishing ability, Los Angeles suddenly has a stronger, faster edge combination.

If both stay healthy and Mack returns later in the season, this pass rush could quickly shift from average to dangerous. The kind of front that doesn’t just hurry quarterbacks, but hits them hard and ends drives.