It's another week where the Chargers practice with a new offensive line combination amid injuries.
The Chargers looked to shore up their offensive line in the offseason after the Texans' playoff run.Unfortunately, it's less consistent than it used to be.With season-ending injuries to Joe Alt and Rushan Slater, some issues were clearly out of their control.
On the other hand, the Chargers decided to upgrade him with C Bradley Bozeman and make RG Mekhi Becton their first OL in free agency.All of these actions have been successful.Plus, with Slater and Alt as backups, the injury chances are unforgiving almost every week.
Can the Chargers commit more offensive turnovers in Week 17 against the Texans?
The week 17 practice report suggests more changes may be coming for the Chargers.At one point, the team thought they had found their offensive starting duo for the rest of the season in RT Trey Pipkins and LT Jamaree Salyer.Pipkins missed the game against Dallas as Bobby Hart started in his place.Salyer suffered a hamstring injury against the Cowboys that put his status in doubt this week.
Salier filed for DNP during the first two days of practice in Los Angeles. He is now officially ruled out for Saturday's game. The good news is that Pipkins (ankle) has completed two full practices this week so far and is expected to return. Pipkins is now injury free for Saturday's game.
In other injury news, Becton dealt with a knee issue in the first practice of the week and reported a DNP.Becton returned to practice Wednesday in a limited capacity, but did not work out with the starting lineup.According to ESPN's Kris Rhim, the Bolts' starting lineup was LT Bobby Hart, LG Zion Johnson, C Bradley Bozeman, RG Trevor Penning and RT Trey Pipkins.Becton is officially listed as questionable for Saturday.
Penning filled Becton's spot at right guard for 13 snaps against Kansas City in Week 15. Additionally, he played one game at left tackle against Jacksonville and did most of his work in extra offensive packages.Penning has never started at right guard in his career.He played only left guard this season with the Saints before the trade.
The Chargers season was marked by changes on the offensive line.They currently have over 20 different line combinations throughout the season.Hart moving to left and Becton not being the starter would be another massive change.
The Chargers continue to win, but the question remains: How much more chaos can they absorb on offense?Houston's Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter could somehow provide a key answer.
The Chargers play the Texans on Saturday at 1:30pm PT on the NFL Network.
