EL SEGUNDO — Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said he gazed into the eyes of the team’s four rookie offensive linemen earlier this week and was reminded of a day many years ago, when he was a veteran quarterback entering his team’s huddle and locking eyes with another set of rookies tasked with protecting him from opposing defenders.
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Harbaugh didn’t say how he and his youthful teammates fared that day, but it’s safe to say the winless Chargers won’t be at their best if Pro Bowl tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater plus left guard Trevor Penning can’t play against the Denver Broncos on Sunday at SoFi Stadium.
“The rookie offensive linemen, their demeanor, their focus, their opportunity, just love them,” Harbaugh said.
The Chargers (0-4) started the season Sept. 13 against the Arizona Cardinals with one rookie lineman, with second-round draft pick Jake Slaughter assuming the starting center position after Tyler Biadasz, a past Pro Bowl selection, suffered a season-ending knee injury during training camp.
Alt (neck), Slater (ankle) and Penning (concussion) were hurt in the Chargers’ 30-23 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. The Chargers ended the game with rookies Logan Taylor at left tackle, Slaughter at left guard, Jacob Spomer at center and Travis Burke at right tackle.
Right guard Cole Strange was the lone veteran in the five-man formation, and will be again if Alt, Slater and Penning can’t play against the Broncos. None of the three injured players participated in practice Wednesday. The Chargers on Tuesday signed veteran tackle Daniel Brunskill to the practice squad.
In addition, they opened the practice windows for offensive lineman Branson Taylor (neck) and fullback/defensive lineman Scott Matlock (foot) to return from injured reserve. They were placed on IR to start the season and sat out the mandatory minimum of four games before rejoining their teammates for Wednesday’s practice.
“It’s not something you can give, it’s earned,” Harbaugh said of his faith in inserting four rookies onto the starting offensive line. “They’ve been earning that since the day they got here back in May for spring practices, and they’ve proven to themselves as they go.
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“That’s what a player does. A player proves to himself that he belongs and you prove it to your teammates. They had an opportunity to do that in a game this past weekend (against the Seahawks), so they acquitted themselves well. I saw a confident demeanor, one that was ready to accept a challenge.”
This week also has brought back memories of Harbaugh’s playing career.
“Being a player and what it felt like when I was put in that position, you know?” Harbaugh said. “And that feeling of stepping up to the challenge, and being a quarterback and stepping into the huddle and there some rookie offensive linemen when I was a veteran quarterback.
“I had the same feeling today, as a coach, watching them go into the huddle (during practice). That brought back some good memories. I saw what I wanted to see, needed to see. Just their demeanor. Just the way they took the field. Their focus and excitement for the challenge. Like a ‘bring it on’ mentality. I love it, I love it. I see that with our entire team.”
SAME OLD STORY
Justin Herbert didn’t have Slater available to protect his blind side last season, after Slater sustained a season-ending knee injury during training camp. He also didn’t have Alt to end the season after Alt suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Week 9 against the Tennessee Titans.
So, it won’t seem foreign to him if Slater and Alt can’t play this weekend.
“The game doesn’t change too much,” Herbert said. “You should do your job of playing quarterback, get the ball out quickly, making sure you’re avoiding sacks, eliminating turnovers, finding the open guy. So, if that’s what I’m able to do, then you can take out the pass rush as much as you can.”
INJURY REPORT
Offensive lineman Kayode Awosika (fibula), cornerback Donte Jackson (hamstring), safety Derwin James Jr. (hamstring), outside linebacker Khalil Mack (rest) and wide receiver Ladd McConkey (foot) also didn’t practice. Jackson and McConkey were hurt in the game against Seattle.
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