The Chargers will be without star left tackle Rashawn Slater for the rest of the season after he suffered a ruptured biceps injury in the loss to the Jaguars.
Still very early in the season, Los Angeles will have to figure out a plan to have Justin Herbert’s blindside protected.
They can stick with what they have in Storm Norton as the starting left tackle, but yesterday’s performance exemplified that he is not ready for that responsibility as he allowed eight pressures on 25 pass-blocking snaps.
Or, the team could move Norton to right tackle and Pipkins to left tackle. Pipkins performed admirably well last season at left tackle, allowing just three pressures on 43 pass-block snaps.
While replacing Slater’s skill level in a pinch is impossible, there are a few ways the team can still get competency from the position.
If they choose to look at outside options, let’s take a look at how the Bolts can replace Slater.
Sign Eric Fisher
Fisher, the two-time Pro Bowler, played for the Colts last season and spent the first eight seasons of his career with the Chiefs.
Fisher’s most recent campaign with Indianapolis wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows after returning early from a torn Achilles tendon, as he posted a 68.2 overall grade in 2021. On 874 snaps, he had eight penalties and seven sacks allowed on the season.
But before that, the 31-year-old ranked as one of the better tackles in the NFL. Fisher posted an 80.0 offensive grade in 2020 (19th among tackles), 73.4 grade (28th) in 2018, and a 77.3 grade (23rd) in 2016.
As a rental to plug and play at left tackle, Fisher wouldn’t be a bad option.
Sign Daryl Williams, move Pipkins to left tackle
After starting his career with the Panthers, the Bills signed Williams to a three-year, $24 million deal last offseason but released him after a season of struggles in 2021.
Williams has played guard, but his best play has come at right tackle. In three seasons at the position, he has a pass-block grade of over 72.0 (2021, 2020, 2017). Further, Williams is durable, as he hasn’t missed a game since the 2018 season.
Sign Brandon Shell off Dolphins practice squad, move Pipkins to left tackle
Shell has played in 70 career games with 61 starts over six NFL seasons at right tackle. He spent four years (2016-19) with the Jets and two (2020-21) with the Seahawks. His best season came in 2020, earning a pass-blocking grade of 80.3 as he allowed just 19 pressures on 460 pass-block snaps.
Sign Marcus Cannon off Patriots practice squad, move Pipkins to left tackle
Cannon played with New England from 2011-2020, appearing in 134 games, including 80 starts between the regular season and postseason while winning three Super Bowls and earning second-team All-Pro honors.
After opting out of the 2020 season, the 34-year-old Cannon played one season with the Texans in 2021, starting four games at right tackle before being placed on injured reserve due to a disc issue.
Before missing the remainder of the 2021 season, Cannon was solid. On 127 pass-blocking snaps, he allowed just five pressures and one sack.
Start Jamaree Salyer
The Chargers drafted Salyer in the sixth round of this year’s draft, intending to transition him to a guard after primarily playing his entire college career at Georgia at left tackle.
They can keep him there, play him at left guard and move a struggling Matt Feiler to right tackle and Pipkins to left tackle. Feiler started two seasons (2018 and 2019) at right tackle with the Steelers.
Then, there’s the option of playing Salyer at tackle. He played the position at a high level against high-level competition – as he had the lowest pressure rate allowed out of any tackle in the country last year and allowed just one sack throughout his career.
Plugging in Salyer at left tackle and keeping Pipkins at right tackle is one option. They can also do the opposite by having Salyer play right tackle and moving Pipkins to left tackle.
