Los Angeles Chargers left tackle Rashawn Slater suffered a season-ending tear to his patellar tendon during Thursday's practice, less than two weeks after he signed a $114 million contract extension.
Slater's recovery from such an injury will likely be a long and hard one, and it's not clear at this time when he can be expected to return to his Pro Bowl form from 2024.
Prior to Thursday, the Chargers thought they had their offensive line intact and ready to go for their second season under head coach Jim Harbaugh. Now they're left to reshuffle the deck and attempt to replace one of the best left tackles in the NFL.
Slater's injury is going to negatively affect the Chargers. That can't be ignored. But that's not to say they can't have a functional offensive line, if not one that ranks in the top half of the league. It's hard to argue, though, that they're on equal footing with where they were before Slater's injury. In the rough-and-tumble AFC West, where all four teams could compete this season, that blow can be magnified significantly.
Factoring all of that, here's a look at how Thursday's news impacts the 2025 Chargers, who are coming off their best season since 2018 and have been viewed as dark-horse Super Bowl contenders by some analysts, and who could take over at LT in Slater's absence.
Who are Chargers' in-house options at LT?
The Chargers boasted one of the best offensive tackle pairs in the NFL prior to Slater's injury. He and Joe Alt were both top-10 picks, and each performed at a high level last year in their first season paired together, establishing a sort of midwestern toughness for Harbaugh's new-look Chargers.
Now the Chargers must shuffle again. They've invested heavily in their offensive line, including six of their own draft picks (three first-rounders) and free-agent signings of Mekhi Becton and Bradley Bozeman. Slater's loss will be felt, but the Chargers are better insulated than other teams up front.
Alt will slide back to left tackle, with Trey Pipkins moving from swing tackle back to right tackle, Harbaugh confirmed during his Friday news conference. Left tackle is what Alt manned for virtually his entire Notre Dame career before kicking to the right side as a rookie last year, and he started one game (Week 18) at left tackle for the Chargers.
Pipkins had been the Chargers' starting right guard last season, but the majority of his time before that was at tackle, mostly on the right side. Who's the swing tackle now? One candidate is Jamaree Salyer, although he's spent most of his time at left tackle and right guard, with only one NFL snap at right tackle. If the Chargers are hunting outside depth, this might be what they target: a tackle capable of playing both spots.
The Chargers have a solid interior. Bozeman and Zion Johnson have worked at center and guard, and Andre James has three years starting experience at center with the Raiders. Becton was strong as the right guard for the champion Eagles, starting 19 games (including postseason) and missing two last season. The Chargers also drafted Branson Taylor in Round 6 this spring and signed three OL undrafted free agents.
Can the Chargers hold up in pass protection without Slater the way they want to? There had been an emphasis on allowing Justin Herbert to push the ball vertically more often this offseason, but that requires firm, steady pass protection. Last season, Herbert's sack percentage (7.52%) was already above the league average and drifting toward a problematic rate.
Who are potential free-agent, trade candidates?
If Harbaugh and GM Joe Hortiz feel like the issue can't be solved internally, there are some free-agent options to consider. Jedrick Wills, who has played his entire career at left tackle, is a free agent. Like Slater, he's 26 years old -- with a notable injury history. Another free-agent option is Isaiah Wynn, who has played left and right tackle and has guard experience.
There is also the trade route to consider. Terron Armstead, 34, is recently retired but remains under contract with the Dolphins. If Braxton Jones loses the Bears' LT job, could he be moved in a contract season? There likely will be outside possibilities to consider around Aug. 26's cutdown time, too, when teams must trim their rosters to 53.
Expect the Chargers to first measure their in-house options before considering taking more drastic measures.
