Daniel Popper of The Athletic delivered the latest sign of concern for the Los Angeles Chargers’ offensive line on Tuesday: Mekhi Becton was again absent from practice, working out in the weight room instead. The free-agent addition at right guard hasn’t taken a rep since July 28, and what was initially described as a “minor” injury has now spilled into a second week.
The timing couldn’t be worse. Just last week, the Chargers lost star left tackle Rashawn Slater to a torn patellar tendon, forcing rookie Joe Alt into the blindside role and moving Trey Pipkins to right tackle. That shuffle left Los Angeles with three projected starters — Pipkins, Zion Johnson, and Bradley Bozeman — who struggled for much of 2024.
RG Mekhi Becton Misses Chargers Wednesday’s Practice
Becton was supposed to be the stabilizer. After a resurgent 16-game season with the Eagles last year, the former first-round pick signed with the Chargers to solidify the interior and help offset Slater’s absence. Instead, he’s yet to take the field in August.
Offensive coordinator Greg Roman tried to ease concerns, saying, “Mekhi’s working through something. He’ll be fine. He’s getting a lot of great meeting time, walkthrough time.” He added that he expects Becton to be ready for the season opener in Brazil against the Chiefs — before adding a telling caveat: “Not putting anything in concrete.”
That pivot in language — from “extremely minor” to no firm Week 1 commitment — has understandably heightened fan anxiety. Under Jim Harbaugh, the Chargers have been notably guarded about injury specifics, and recent seasons have shown how quickly a “minor” issue can evolve into something more prolonged.
If Becton can’t go in the opener, Jamaree Salyer would likely step in at right guard, leaving Justin Herbert behind a line with one proven star in Alt and four starters who graded below average a year ago. It’s a depth chart scenario the Chargers were hoping to avoid before the season even begins.
For now, Los Angeles still has more than three weeks before kickoff in Brazil. That’s enough time for Becton to return, reestablish chemistry with his new linemates, and help prevent the offensive line from being a fatal flaw. But as the absences pile up and the language shifts, “no concrete” isn’t exactly the reassurance this team — or its quarterback — was looking for.
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