Disaster struck for the Chargers in El Segundo, California, on Thursday afternoon.
Standout left tackle Rashawn Slater tore his patellar tendon and will require season-ending surgery, the Chargers announced. The two-time Pro Bowler will be placed on injured reserve.
Slater sustained the injury during practice when he fell backward during pass protection. He was immediately attended to and subsequently carted off the field.
It's a seismic blow for the Chargers, who must now decide if they go with backup Trey Pipkins to protect quarterback Justin Herbert's blindside or shuffle up the starting offensive line beyond just left tackle. L.A. could potentially move starting right guard Mekhi Becton to left tackle, where he has prior experience with the New York Jets, but he's performed far better since he moved inside with the Philadelphia Eagles last season. The Bolts could also move 2024 first-round pick Joe Alt from right tackle to left.
As head coach Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers aim for a playoff return sans Slater, the left tackle will look to regroup yet again.
A 2021 first-rounder, Slater was a Pro Bowler as a rookie but played in only three games in 2022 after a biceps injury. Following a 2024 Pro Bowl nod -- the second of his career -- he's once more beset by a devastating injury.
Fortunately for Slater, he worked out a lucrative extension just a few weeks ago.
But in the here and now, it's a mighty big hit dealt to Slater and the Chargers on Thursday in Southern California.
