More changes along the offensive line are coming for the Chargers vs. the Chiefs this week. It's been a game of musical chairs for the Chargers along the offensive line all season. Los Angeles heads into Week 15 against the Chiefs with yet another new OL combination. RT Trey Pipkins suffered an ankle injury vs. the Eagles on Monday. Bobby Hart came into the game in relief of Pipkins as the Chargers were able to grit out the win. Knee and ankle injuries this season have hurt Pipkins' availability this season. He did not participate in any of the Chargers' three practices this week. Los Angeles has now played several games without their initial OT tandem of Pipkins and Joe Alt to start the year.
The hits keep on coming for the Chargers' offensive line before their rematch with the Chiefs.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh confirmed that Hart would start at RT vs. Kansas City. Previously, Harbaugh had said that Hart and Trevor Penning are swing tackle options for opposite sides of the line. Prior to the BYE week, Penning was ahead of current LT starter Jamaree Salyer on the depth chart vs. the Jags. For now, it's clear that the Chargers see their best current five from left to right as Salyer, LG Zion Johnson, C Bradley Bozeman, RG Mekhi Becton, and Pipkins. It was a rough night for the Chargers' offensive line vs. the Eagles just after they had a stabilizing performance against Las Vegas. Per PFF's charting, the Chargers' six key starting offensive linemen that played gave up 26 of the teams' 28 pressures against Philadelphia. Los Angeles specifically struggled with unblocked pressures through the A Gap again due to communication issues. The good news for the Chargers in this specific matchup is that the Chiefs are also going through their own issues along the offensive line. OT Jawaan Taylor was ruled out for this game while LT Wanya Morris suffered a season-ending injury against the Texans. RG Trey Smith was also ruled out late this week with an ankle injury after having participated in practice on Wednesday and Thursday. Standout rookie LT Josh Simmons was placed on IR following a wrist injury vs. Dallas. On paper, this is one of the few games down the stretch for the Chargers where they won't be at an obvious disadvantage along the offensive line. Even with the injury to Pipkins, Los Angeles has to take advantage of this opportunity before going against some scary pass rushes in the coming weeks. This is a huge game from a playoff leverage standpoint for the Chargers. Their playoff odds balloon to well over 90% with a win vs. Kansas City in The Athletic's upshot model. A loss to the Bolts would also virtually eliminate most playoff scenarios for the Chiefs.
