Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert will have a new offensive line protecting him in the game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
This is concerning for Herbert, who is still dealing with a high right ankle sprain he suffered two weeks ago in Carolina.
The Chargers are without both starting offensive tackles for Sunday’s game. Left tackle Rashawn Slater and right tackle Joe Alt have been declared inactive due to injuries.
Slater hurt his pectoral muscle during the first half of last week’s game. Alt has a sprained MCL from the fourth quarter.
Trey Pipkins, who played right guard in the first three games, has moved to right tackle. He started 31 games at right tackle in 2022 and 2023 but switched to guard this year when the Chargers drafted Alt as the fifth overall pick.
Sam Mustipher has been promoted from the practice squad and will start at right guard.
Mustipher is in his fifth season and has 42 NFL starts with Chicago and Baltimore, but he has only played three snaps at right guard in a game.
Jamaree Salyer will start at left tackle. The third-year player had 14 starts at that position in 2022 when Slater was out with a season-ending biceps injury.
Center Bradley Bozeman and left guard Zion Johnson will stay in their regular positions.
Herbert had a limited practice this week but took part every day. The fifth-year quarterback left during the third quarter of last week’s 20-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers after taking several hits to his ankle.
The Chargers are also missing linebacker Joey Bosa (hip) and safety Derwin James (suspension).
Los Angeles has lost five straight games against the Chiefs and hasn’t beaten their AFC rival at home since 2013.
