The Los Angeles Chargers’ training camp took a devastating turn Thursday, as star left tackle Rashawn Slater suffered a torn patellar tendon during practice—just 11 days after signing the richest offensive line contract in NFL history. Slater will undergo season-ending surgery and be placed on injured reserve, the team confirmed.
According to Daniel Popper of The Athletic, the injury occurred during an 11-on-11 drill when Slater planted his left foot while absorbing a bull rush from edge rusher Tuli Tuipulotu. Slater immediately collapsed, clutching his left knee. As teammates and trainers gathered around, he was carted off the field, visibly emotional—slamming his helmet and hand before burying his face under a towel.
“That’s just something you don’t want to see,” said Tuipulotu. “We’re praying for him. Everybody’s behind his back.”
Chargers Lose LT Rashawn Slater For The Season
The injury couldn’t have come at a worse time. On July 27, Slater signed a four-year, $114 million extension with $92 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid offensive lineman by average annual salary in league history. His dominant play since being drafted 13th overall in 2021 has earned him two Pro Bowl selections and positioned him as the anchor of Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman’s offense.
The team’s depth will now be tested. Rookie Joe Alt, who had been playing right tackle with the starters, shifted to left tackle following the injury. Trey Pipkins III—who had transitioned to right guard after the team signed Mekhi Becton—reverted to right tackle.
Alt, the fifth overall pick this year, brings promise. He started 33 games at left tackle at Notre Dame and performed well in limited reps at the position last season. “Watch what he does this year,” Roman said recently. “He’s on his way to being a special, special player.”
The Chargers’ offensive line now likely features Alt at left tackle, Zion Johnson at left guard, Bradley Bozeman at center, Becton at right guard (pending his recovery from an undisclosed issue), and Pipkins at right tackle.
Despite the shuffling, Roman remained cautiously optimistic in July: “We definitely have the ingredients… full transparency, we got to stay healthy.”
But as the front office—Harbaugh, GM Joe Hortiz, and President John Spanos—huddled somberly after practice, it was clear: a season built on offensive line stability has already lost its cornerstone.
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