The Los Angeles Chargers’ quarterback Justin Herbert’s protection is facing its biggest test of the season, with both starting tackles, Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt, out for the year. Alt’s Week 9 ankle injury against the Titans was the latest blow. With the unit already reeling, Offensive coordinator Greg Roman confirmed the loss hit hard and the team had to move fast to bring in reinforcements.

“Very stark news when a player of that caliber is lost for the year,” Roman said. He then tried to stay positive, noting that Joe Alt’s injury isn’t career-threatening. “It’s nothing terminal… something that a procedure will take care of, and he will be back stronger than ever.”

Still, the Chargers had to move fast.

Justin Herbert has already moved on to the team’s newest lineman, Trevor Penning – a recent acquisition from the New Orleans Saints. Roman echoed that mindset: 

“We move on,” said Roman. “You know, we made an acquisition with Trevor Penning. He’ll get into the mix. But it’s always tough when you lose a player of Joe’s caliber and his leadership too. He’s really emerging as a big-time leader. But it’s next man up.”

So, where does Trevor Penning fit into Justin Herbert’s OL? The 2022 first-rounder from Northern Iowa hasn’t lived up to expectations so far. Penning started 6 games at left guard for the Saints this season, but struggled with consistency. Still, Greg Roman praised his potential.

“I mean, he is a pretty flexible guy as far as guard tackle,” said Roman. “He’s just got here yesterday. There’s a lot to learn, and we’ll see how it goes…. He’s leaning the system and burning the midnight oil… trying to get things absorbed. So, he’s working really hard at it.” 

But when asked if Penning would start at the tackle position, Roman didn’t commit as he said:

“We’ll see. I mean, it’s all a competition. The best players are all gonna play. We gotta see how he acclimates, how everything fits together, and the best players are gonna play.”

That means Penning must prove himself quickly – and the pressure couldn’t be higher. Without Slater and Alt, the Chargers’ offensive line looks drastically different.

Roman admitted things “might look a little different” moving forward, though he emphasized that the team can’t become predictable. “It’s gonna be a week-to-week thing based on matchups,” he said. But it still makes one wonder whether things will look different for Justin Herbert, too. 

Is Trevor Penning the answer to Justin Herbert’s OL struggles?

Despite the chaos in the OL, Justin Herbert keeps producing. However, he’s been forced into risky throws, leading to 8 interceptions this season – including costly ones against the New York Giants. But Greg Roman took responsibility for those mistakes.  

“Just gotta do a better job coaching there,” said Roman. “You know, I take the blame for that… Stuff like that is very easily fixable… There’s some glitches in the matrix, but that’s gonna happen. I think when you really look at his body of work, I think it’s better this year in so many different ways. And he’s a worker, so whatever we work on he’s gonna get better at.”

Fixable – sure. But can the Chargers fix their OL issues before it’s too late? Their next test is brutal. The Chargers face the Pittsburgh Steelers, one of the NFL’s best defensive fronts, without their two best tackles. But Greg Roman remains optimistic about Trevor Penning’s upside. 

“Trevor’s a really good player,” he said. “I studied him hard coming out of college. Physical guy, likes to finish. I think he’s in a sweet spot in his career where he’s just gonna take off.”

That confidence might be exactly what the Chargers need. Penning’s versatility could bring some stability to Justin Herbert’s OL. Even if it takes time for the chemistry to click, Penning has already been seen taking reps at multiple positions in practice.

But it remains to be seen whether the Chargers’ offense continues to struggle under mounting pressure or moves forward to keep their playoff hopes alive.