While Los Angeles Chargers supporters weren't always happy with the Joe Alt draft selection, the former Notre Dame football star quickly endeared himself to the fans in his rookie campaign.
Alt has gotten off to an excellent start to his sophomore campaign; however, he hit a possible significant bump in the road in the Chargers' Week 4 game against the New York Giants. The bump is big enough that there are more than a few concerns that his season could be over.
Top-5 NFL pick out of Notre Dame and Chargers standout suffers troubling Week 4 injury
Joe Alt on a cart headed to the locker room #Chargers pic.twitter.com/EzUDGusDp0
— Chargers Country (@ChargersCountry) September 28, 2025
Alt appeared to sustain an injury early in the game during a Justin Herbert scramble. The former Notre Dame star was able to limp off the field on his own, but was later spotted taking a cart to the locker room.
The team quickly deemed Alt questionable to return due to an ankle injury.
Alt, 22, stabilized the Chargers' offensive line after Los Angeles drafted him with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. He started 16 games as a rookie, earning down-ballot Rookie of the Year votes. The former Irish star was the only lineman to receive votes for the award.
Alt moved from right tackle to left tackle after Rashawn Slater's season-ending knee injury this summer. The Chargers are also missing right guard Mekhi Becton in this game due to a concussion, so they're missing several pieces up front.
Through three games, Joe Alt ranked as the fourth-best tackle in the NFL this season, per PFF's metrics. The start to his NFL career follows a Notre Dame football stint, where most considered him among the best in the sport. How severe his ankle injury is won't be known until later in the week.