The Chargers are 6-3 after a 27-20 win over the Titans on Sunday.
Here are five takeaways from Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh's Monday press conference.
1. Joe Alt out for the season
The Bolts will be without star left tackle Joe Alt for the rest of the 2025 season.
The Chargers announced Monday that Alt will undergo season-ending surgery on a high ankle injury he sustained in Sunday's win over the Titans.
"Feel bad for Joe," said Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh. "I know it's going to be OK. It's not going to be life-altering. Feel bad for him."
Alt was injured with just under five minutes left to play in the second quarter when he got rolled up on.
Alt's injured ankle is on the same one that occurred in Week 4 against the Giants. Alt missed three games before returning for a Week 8 win over the Vikings on Thursday night.
Jamaree Salyer stepped in at left tackle for Alt, who has been one of the league's best offensive linemen this season.
According to Pro Football Focus, Alt's pass-blocking grade of 82.3 ranks seventh among tackles with at least 300 snaps while his overall grade of 79.0 ranks ninth among that same group.
Harbaugh was also asked about the status of right tackle Bobby Hart, who left Sunday's game with groin and ankle injuries. Hart was replaced by Trey Pipkins III late in the first quarter.
Harbaugh said he didn't have much of an update on Hart but noted he doesn't expect the tackle to go on Injured Reserve, which would mean missing at least four games. Trey Pipkins III stepped in at right tackle when Hart went out.
Going forward, Harbaugh said Salyer, Pipkins and Austin Deculus will be in the mix at tackle. Harbaugh also said he expects his team to attack upcoming games with the same mindset they did Sunday in Nashville.
"It played out in the game and you saw how the guys responded. That's something about our team that I really admire," Harbaugh said. "There was a lot to overcome in that game Sunday and our guys found a way and overcame it. I would've been surprised if they hadn't, how good I know this team. You just keep going, keep getting better, build, get better."
He later added: "I think like anything in sports, it's adversity. You just do the best you can and you get better. Never give up. Those three key elements. Maybe a lesser team, lesser man wouldn't find a way to do that, but that's what we do."
2. Updates on Hampton & Becton
Harbaugh was also asked about injury updates on Omarion Hampton and Mekhi Becton.
Hampton, the Chargers first-round draft pick at running back, is currently on Injured Reserve but is eligible to return to practice this week.
Harbaugh said he does not foresee that happening until later this month.
"As I stand here right now, and things can obviously change because there's no crystal ball, I don't think his window will be opened until after the bye," Harbaugh said.
The Chargers play the Steelers in Week 10 and have a Week 11 road game in Jacksonville before a Week 12 bye.
As for Becton, the right guard missed Sunday's game with a knee injury. Harbaugh offered an update on his status on Monday.
"I think he'll be out there this week in practice, see how the week of practice goes and see where he's at physically," Harbaugh said.
3. A look at the trade deadline
The 2025 NFL trade deadline is less than 24 hours away.
Will the Bolts make a move?
Harbaugh said Monday that he has full trust in Chargers General Manager Joe Hortiz.
"If there's a deal that makes sense at any position, we know Joe well enough to know if it makes sense he'll do it," Harbaugh said.
The Chargers Head Coach also gave a bit of a peak behind the scenes and said he and the rest of the Bolts coaching staff helps key in on which players to potentially target.
"We're just usually talking about the roster. He gives me players to look at, we look at them and then we decide, we give our input," Harbaugh said. "I give my input, so do the other coaches, then he makes the decision. That's the exact process."
The Chargers currently have five picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, which will be held next April in Pittsburgh.
4. All love for Daiyan Henley
Harbaugh gave a powerful quote Monday afternoon when asked about the passing of Daiyan Henley's brother over the weekend.
Henley's older brother, Jabari, was killed Friday night in Los Angeles.
"I really wanted to just coach the best I've ever coached for Daiyan, for our teammate, for our family," Harbaugh said.
Henley finished with seven total tackles, including a sack plus a pass defensed and two tackles on special teams.
Harbaugh said the tragic news put things into perspective over the weekend in Nashville.
"That's heartbreaking. That's family, that is life-altering," Harbaugh said. "We love Daiyan and his family, we support them. They're like family, that's where our players responded. This is like their brother, so everybody felt that."
5. Attacking special teams
Look for the Chargers to dial it in on special teams this week.
"Yeah, need to be better. We'll be attacking it," Harbaugh said.
The Chargers gave up a 67-yard punt return for a score against the Titans and have also been plagued by inconsistent snaps in the kicking game.
Harbaugh said the area will be a focal point this week at practice.
"Need to be better fundamentally, need to be better with our technique," Harbaugh said. "Need to devote more time to those drills and put extra emphasis on it. We have been, but it needs more."
