The Chargers placed Slater (knee) on injured reserve Saturday.
Slater will undergo surgery to repair a ruptured patella tendon that he suffered during Thursday's practice, and he will miss the entire 2025 season as a result. He signed a four-year, $114 million contract extension with the Chargers in late July, and he will shift his focus toward being fully healthy for the 2026 campaign. With Slater sidelined, Joe Alt will move over to left tackle, while Trey Pipkins is set to serve at right tackle.
Slater, who was carted off the field during Thursday's practice, sustained a torn patellar tendon.
As a result, Slater will undergo surgery to repair the injury and will miss the 2025 season. The Pro Bowl left tackle, who is in line to be placed on IR, recently signed a four-year, $114 million contract extension with the Chargers, and in his looming absence, Joe Alt is a candidate to move to left tackle while Trey Pipkins fills at right tackle, as was the case Thursday after Slater's departure, per Daniel Popper of The Athletic.
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Chargers' Rashawn Slater: Carted off due to leg injury
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Slater was carted off the field after suffering a left leg injury in practice Thursday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
Slater's injury comes less than two weeks after he signed a four-year, $114 million contract that gave him the highest annual salary for an offensive lineman in NFL history. The exact nature and severity of Slater's injury is still being evaluated, so a potential recovery timeline for the standout left tackle has yet to be established.
Slater agreed to a four-year, $114 million contract extension with the Chargers on Sunday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Slater's extension makes him the highest-paid offensive lineman on a per-year basis in NFL history. The deal also includes a record $92 million in guarantees. The 2021 first-round pick is a two-time Pro Bowler who, after missing the majority of the 2022 season with a ruptured biceps, has played all but two regular-season games over the last two seasons. Not only does this deal secure Slater as the Chargers' long-term left tackle, but it's also a clear investment in a revamped offensive line to protect franchise quarterback Justin Herbert.
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Chargers' Rashawn Slater: Won't play vs. Chiefs
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Slater (pectoral) did not practice Friday and has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against Kansas City.
Slater injured his pectoral during the Chargers' Week 3 loss to the Steelers. He wasn't able to practice all week, but with the Bolts on a bye for Week 5, he'll have more time to rest and heal ahead of Week 6 against the Broncos on Oct. 13. Jamaree Salyer saw additional snaps in Week 3 after Slater left the game. Salyer and Foster Sarell are candidates to start at left tackle for Sunday's contest.
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Chargers' Rashawn Slater: Returns to practice
Rotowire
Slater (illness) was able to practice Tuesday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
Slater sat out Sunday, but it appears the 24-year-old was able to make a quick recovery. He'll now return his focus to getting prepared for the 2023 season and holding down the left tackle spot on the Chargers' offensive line.
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Chargers' Rashawn Slater: Sits out Sunday's scrimmage
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Slater didn't participate in Sunday's scrimmage due to an illness, Jeff Miller of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Slater was one of several Chargers players who were absent Sunday due to an illness, although it seems unlikely that his regular-season availability will be impacted. Whether he'll be able to suit up for Saturday's preseason opener against the Rams remains to be seen.
