Jamaree Salyer Starts for the Los Angeles Chargers at Tackle

In the high-stakes world of NFL offensive lines, depth is often the difference between protecting a quarterback and watching him get sacked—or opening a hole for a running back and sputtering through a drive. For the Los Angeles Chargers, that depth was put to the test in Week 14 when starting right tackle Trey Pipkins III was ruled out with a knee sprain, forcing the team to turn to Jamaree Salyer as his replacement. Salyer, a third-year player who had primarily served as a backup guard and swing tackle since joining the Chargers in 2022, wasn’t just filling a spot—he was stepping into a critical role for an offense fighting to stay in the playoff hunt. His start marked a significant moment in his young career, as well as a test of the Chargers’ offensive line resilience. Jamaree Salyer Starts for the Los Angeles Chargers at Tackle explores the lead-up to his start, his performance on the field, and the impact he had on the Chargers’ game against the Denver Broncos.

Jamaree Salyer Starts for the Los Angeles Chargers at Tackle begins with the context of Salyer’s opportunity and his preparation leading up to Week 14. Pipkins’ injury occurred in the fourth quarter of the Chargers’ Week 13 win over the Raiders, leaving the team with an immediate void at right tackle. Salyer, who had been inactive for three games earlier in the season but had logged 87 snaps as a backup guard and tackle, was the obvious choice to step in. What set Salyer apart wasn’t just his versatility—it was his work ethic during practice. For weeks, Salyer had stayed after team drills to work on tackle-specific techniques, from pass-blocking footwork to run-blocking leverage, with offensive line coach Brendan Nugent. “Jamaree is the kind of player who prepares like he’s a starter every week,” Nugent said in a pre-game press briefing. “He studies film of every opponent’s pass rusher, he asks questions, and he never lets being a backup make him complacent. When Trey went down, we knew we could trust Jamaree to step up.” Salyer also leaned on veteran left tackle Rashawn Slater for advice, watching film with him to break down the Broncos’ defensive ends—including star pass-rusher Bradley Chubb. By the time Week 14 arrived, Salyer was ready: “I’ve been waiting for a chance to show I can handle a full start at tackle,” he said. “This is my moment, and I’m not going to waste it.”

Jamaree Salyer Starts for the Los Angeles Chargers at Tackle highlights Salyer’s standout moments during the Week 14 game, where he held his own against a fierce Broncos pass rush. The Broncos came into the game with 32 sacks on the season, and Chubb—who had 8.5 sacks—was tasked with lining up against Salyer for most of the afternoon. Early in the first quarter, Chubb tried to beat Salyer with a speed rush off the edge, but Salyer stayed low, planted his feet, and shuffled laterally to cut off Chubb’s path—forcing the Broncos to abandon the play. Later in the second quarter, with the Chargers facing a third-and-5 at their own 30-yard line, Salyer delivered a key block: he engaged Broncos defensive tackle Mike Purcell, driving him back two yards to create a hole for Austin Ekeler, who rushed for 12 yards and a first down. The most impressive play came in the third quarter, when Salyer faced a double team from Chubb and linebacker Jonathon Cooper on a pass play. He first blocked Chubb to the outside, then quickly shifted his weight to hold off Cooper—giving Justin Herbert enough time to connect with Keenan Allen for a 25-yard gain. “Jamaree didn’t just hold his own—he dominated at times,” said Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert after the game. “Chubb is one of the best pass-rushers in the league, and Jamaree made it look easy. That’s a testament to how hard he’s worked.”

Jamaree Salyer Starts for the Los Angeles Chargers at Tackle delves into the impact Salyer’s start had on the Los Angeles Chargers’ overall offensive performance—and why it was a turning point for their rushing attack. Before Salyer’s start, the Chargers’ rushing offense had ranked 22nd in the NFL, averaging just 98.5 yards per game. Against the Broncos, they rushed for 142 yards, with Ekeler gaining 89 yards and a touchdown. A big reason for that success was Salyer’s ability to open up running lanes on the right side: on 12 rushing plays directed toward Salyer’s side, the Chargers averaged 4.8 yards per carry—well above their season average. His consistency also allowed the Chargers to stick with their game plan, rather than adjusting to protect a struggling tackle. “Having Jamaree step in and play like that gave us so much confidence,” said offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. “We didn’t have to limit our playbook or shy away from running to the right side. We could play our brand of football, and that’s a huge win for this offense. For the Los Angeles Chargers, having a reliable swing tackle like Jamaree isn’t just depth—it’s a competitive advantage. He proved today that he can be a starter in this league.” The Chargers went on to win the game 27-24, with Salyer playing all 68 offensive snaps—an impressive feat for a player making his first start at tackle in over a year.

Jamaree Salyer Starts for the Los Angeles Chargers at Tackle explores the reaction from the Los Angeles Chargers’ coaching staff and teammates, who praised Salyer’s poise and performance under pressure. Head coach Brandon Staley, who had been vocal about his confidence in Salyer leading up to the game, called Salyer’s start “one of the best individual performances by an offensive lineman this season” during his post-game press conference. “Jamaree showed maturity beyond his years,” Staley said. “He didn’t get flustered when Chubb came at him with different moves, and he didn’t let a single mistake affect the next play. That’s the kind of mental toughness you need from a starter. For the Los Angeles Chargers, this is exactly why we invest in developing our backup players—you never know when you’ll need them to step up.” Teammates were equally impressed: Slater, who has been the Chargers’ starting left tackle since 2021, called Salyer “a beast” and said he wasn’t surprised by the performance. “Jamaree works harder than anyone in that locker room,” Slater said. “I’ve seen him stay late every day to work on his craft, and today he got to show the world what he’s capable of. I’m proud of him.” Even Salyer’s opponent, Chubb, had words of respect: “He’s a tough kid,” Chubb said. “He didn’t back down, and he made me earn every inch. That’s the kind of competition you want.”

Jamaree Salyer Starts for the Los Angeles Chargers at Tackle concludes with what Salyer’s start means for his future with the Los Angeles Chargers—and the team’s offensive line depth moving forward. With Pipkins expected to miss 2-3 weeks with his knee sprain, Salyer will likely start at right tackle for the Chargers’ next two games against the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills—both teams with elite pass rushes. A strong performance in those games could solidify Salyer’s role as the Chargers’ primary swing tackle for years to come, or even put him in the mix for a full-time starting spot next season. For Salyer, though, the focus is on the present: “I’m not thinking about next season or anything like that,” he said. “I’m just grateful for this opportunity, and I want to keep playing well for this team. The Chargers believed in me when I was a backup, and now I want to repay that trust.” For the Los Angeles Chargers, Salyer’s start is a reminder of the importance of player development and depth. In a league where injuries are inevitable, having players like Salyer who can step in and perform at a high level is what separates good teams from great ones. As the Chargers continue their playoff push, Salyer’s performance at tackle could be the key to their success. In the end, Jamaree Salyer Starts for the Los Angeles Chargers at Tackle is a story of hard work, preparation, and seizing the moment—proving that sometimes, the biggest stars are the ones waiting in the wings.