Los Angeles Chargers Roll The Dice With Rookie Jamaree Salyer At Left Tackle Against The Houston Texans

The Los Angeles Chargers are banking on one of their lowest-paid players to help them rebound against the Houston Texans on Sunday.

Rookie Jamaree Salyer is being asked to protect quarterback Justin Herbert’s blindside in the wake of Pro Bowl left tackle Rayshawn Slater (biceps) being lost for the season.

The Chargers initially inserted Storm Norton into Slater’s spot during their lopsided loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars last Sunday. The results were somewhat predictable as Norton was exposed and Herbert was hampered by pressure coming from his side.

In attempt to stop the Chargers’ two-game slide, coach Brandon Staley and staff have a new plan of attack, one that comes with their fingers crossed.

The 6-foot-4, 325-pound Salyer was Georgia’s left tackle for his last two seasons, before being selected in the sixth round by L.A. As the 195th overall player picked, he signed a four-year, $3.8 million deal with only $175,000 being guaranteed.

Instead of being brought along slowly at guard, Salyer will be thrust into a critical role against the Texans (0-1-2). The Chargers are hopeful that Pro Bowl center Corey Lindsay (knee), who missed the previous game, will be a go to aid Salyer with his considerable task.

Many had Salyer, 22, pegged as a guard in the NFL and that included the Chargers. But considering his body of work at Georgia, where he had 20 starts at left tackle and three at right tackle, and L.A.’s dire need to protect a compromised Herbert (ribs), Salyer gets the nod.

“Obviously, I didn’t take a lot of reps there in training camp and up to this point,’’ said Salyer, who was part of Georgia’s national championship team last season. “But it kind of feels like going back home for me.’’

The Chargers’ road to the playoffs hasn’t started smoothly, with injures contributing to their slide. Pro Bowl linebacker Joey Bosa (groin) was placed on injured reserve after exiting the Jaguars game, with no timetable for his return.

Salyer’s time is Sunday and Staley is confident the kid will be all right.

“For us right now, we feel like that’s the best option,’’ Staley said.

The Chargers’ choices are limited at such a crucial spot. For Salyer, it’s an opportunity that might be above his pay grade, but one that he’s work toward.

“He has stayed ready,’’ Staley said. “He’s going to be ready for his opportunity.’’

The Chargers, a 5.5-point favorite on Sunday, were embarrassed by the Texans last year in a late-season loss, 41-29.