The Chargers addressed a major need at the buzzer of Tuesday's NFL trade deadline.
New Orleans is trading offensive lineman Trevor Penning to Los Angeles in exchange for a 2027 sixth-round pick, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport reported, per sources.
With Joe Alt set for season-ending ankle surgery, Penning could be the Chargers' new left tackle, a position the club has been shuffling to supplement since a training camp injury to Rashawn Slater that saw him also lost for the year.
The Chargers struggled in Alt's early season absence due to an initial ankle injury that happened in Week 4 against the Giants. L.A. went on to lose that game after his exit and proceeded to drop two of its next three as Justin Herbert's protection waned. Alt's return saw the Bolts take down the Vikings with authority in Week 8.
Penning started at the left guard position 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 a top tackle prospect and was selected with the No. 19 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Jamaree Salyer replaced Alt following his exit in last Sunday's win over the Titans. Tackle Bobby Hart also left the game due to injury, creating even more potential problems at O-line for the Chargers. Austin Deculus and Trey Pipkins are the remaining tackles on L.A.'s depth chart.
Penning is hoped to be the answer as the Chargers (6-3) are in the thick of a heated AFC playoff race.
In other Chargers news, Los Angeles acquired a 2028 conditional seventh-round draft pick when they sent defensive back Ja'Sir Taylor to the Jets.