The Los Angeles Chargers’ star left tackle, Rashawn Slater, will miss the 2025 season due to a torn patellar tendon suffered during a practice on Thursday, the team reported. Slater will undergo surgery and will be placed on the injured reserve list. The injury occurred during a practice, where Slater collapsed while blocking linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu. The player was attended to by medical services and was subsequently removed on a medical cart, visibly affected.
Just eleven days ago, Slater signed a four-year, $113 million contract extension, with $92 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL history. Coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman base their offenses on dominant ground attacks, so offensive linemen are arguably the team’s most important players. The coaches and front office staff were proud to have the best tackle duo in the league with Slater and Joe Alt, the fifth pick in last year’s draft. They also bolstered their line with the addition of guard Mekhi Becton in free agency. Earlier in the week, Harbaugh was “optimistic” about the group’s talent. It’s likely the Chargers will move Alt to left tackle and Trey Pipkins to right tackle. Alt played his entire college career at Notre Dame as a left tackle and started in the Chargers’ last regular season game in 2024 in that position, with Slater out due to injury. Pipkins was the starting right tackle in the 2022 and 2023 seasons, and was the starting right guard last year. Slater’s injury isn’t the only one on the line. Becton hasn’t practiced since July 28 due to an undisclosed injury, although Roman has called it “extremely minor”. Slater’s injury overshadowed what was supposed to be an exciting day at the Chargers’ facilities. Wide receiver Keenan Allen, who spent the first 11 years of his NFL career with the Chargers, agreed to a one-year contract with the Chargers on Tuesday and returned to practice on Thursday.That’s something you don’t want to see. Not just for Rashawn, but for any of our players.
Tuli Tuipulotu
