Mekhi

Becton

He’ll be good to go against the Steelers. Los Angeles did rule out T Bobby Hart, so they’ll be using yet another new offensive line combination in Week 10. We’ll see if Pittsburgh is able to exploit Joe Alt’s absence the way that the Commanders were in Week 5.

Becton’s continued participation is a positive, but it would be great to see him upgrade to full participation on Friday. Chargers backup OT Bobby Hart (knee/ankle) remains sidelined, unfortunately. That Chargers’ offensive line is in rough shape, though the team has effectively navigated offensive tackle issues in the past. Stay tuned.

Becton missed Week 9 due to a knee issue. He has a lengthy injury history and is a key piece for the Chargers’ banged up offensive line. Fellow OL Bobby Hart (knee/ankle) did not practice on Wednesday as the Chargers are reeling from Joe Alt’s season-ending ankle injury. Justin Herbert and company will need Becton and Hart to log practices the rest of the week to have a chance of playing in Week 10.

With the Chargers facing perhaps the worst team in the league, they have decided to play it safe with a player in Becton who has one of the NFL’s lengthiest injury histories. Also inactive for the Bolts are S Tony Jefferson, CB Tarheeb Still, EDGE Kyle Kennard, OT Austin Deculus and TE Will Dissly.

Dissly’s potential absence is hardly a needle-mover, though it would reinforce breakout rookie TE Oronde Gadsden II’s snap share. Chargers RG Mekhi Becton (knee) is questionable to play. His potential absence would likely be a bigger deal, though the Titans are not at all expected to pose serious problems for Los Angeles with Titans DT Jeffery Simmons (hamstring) and OLB Arden Key (quadriceps) ruled out.

The Chargers also ruled out RT Trey Pipkins III (knee), WR Derius Davis (knee) and DT Da’Shawn Hand (groin). They face a Dolphins pass rush ranking 25th in quarterback pressures (71) and tying for 18th in NFL sacks (nine), so Justin Herbert could be only moderately impacted by Alt and Pipkins’ absences. Fortunately, RG Mekhi Becton (hand) is good to go.

Becton said of his injury after the game, “Just got to cast it up the right way, and I’ll be back out there next week.” Becton also added that he dealt with a similar injury last season when he tore a ligament, so it’s possible he tore a ligament again this week. Becton said he does not expect to miss next week’s game against the Dolphins, so we’ll see how things look when the team’s injury report is released on Wednesday.

Neither Becton nor TE Will Dissly practiced all week. Dissly is sidelined by a knee injury, as is backup WR Derius Davis. C Bradley Bozeman was a limited participant on Thursday and Friday, nursing a back injury. Chargers RT Trey Pipkins III successfully rehabbed his knee injury to the point that he was able to practice in full over the last two days. If Pipkins can go, the Chargers have decent odds of holding their own against the Giants’ pass rush.

The Chargers’ center-to-right tackle trio exited Week 3 in rough shape. The group’s overall health is improving, though. C Bradley Bozeman (back) returned to practice in a limited capacity on Thursday and RT Trey Pipkins III (knee) was upgraded to full participation. Becton evidently has not made progress in the NFL’s concussion protocol. He may miss the Chargers’ Week 4 game against the Giants, but the other two should be good to go.

In addition to Becton, center Bradley Bozeman (back) also did not practice Wednesday. The Chargers’ interior offensive line is banged up to start the week and will have a couple days to return to practice ahead of a Week 4 showdown against the Broncos. Should Bozeman and Becton miss time, Omarion Hampton will have a tough time finding running lanes against the Denver defensive line.