The Chargers filled a big need when the trade deadline began on Tuesday.
New Orleans is trading offensive lineman Trevor Penning to Los Angeles in exchange for a 2027 sixth-round pick, according to NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport.
With Joe Alt out for season-ending ankle surgery, Penning could be the Chargers’ new left tackle, a position the club has been scrambling to fill since Rashawn Slater suffered a training camp injury that also knocked him out for the year.
The Chargers struggled early in Alt’s absence from an ankle injury suffered in Week 4 against the Giants. LA lost that game after his departure and proceeded to drop two of the next three as Justin Herbert’s protection faded. Alt’s return saw the Bolts take down the Vikings by force in Week 8.
Penning started at left tackle six times for the Saints this season, but has experience at tackle (23 starts) in New Orleans through his first three campaigns. He came out of Northern Iowa as the top tackle and was selected with the 19th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Jamaree Salyer replaced Alt after his departure in last Sunday’s win over the Titans. Tech Bobby Hart also left the game with an injury, creating even more potential problems on the O-line for the Chargers. Austin Deculus and Trey Pipkins are the remaining tackles on LA’s depth chart.
Penning is hoped to be the answer as the Chargers (6-3) are in a tough race for the AFC playoffs.