Los Angeles Chargers left tackle Rashawn Slater will miss the 2025 season after tearing the patellar tendon in his left leg during Thursday’s practice.
The Chargers said Slater will undergo surgery and be placed on injured reserve.
The serious injury comes just 11 days after Slater signed a four-year, $114 million deal to become the highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL history.
Slater, 26, was injured during a drill in which he was engaged in pass protection against Chargers defensive end Tuli Tuipulotu.
Tuipulotu crashed into Slater as Slater planted his foot and then his left leg gave out. Slater fell to the turf and grabbed his left knee.
A short time later, Slater was carted off the field.
“I didn’t really see nothing,” Tuipulotu told reporters, according to The Athletic. “I kind of just turned around, and then, boom. We’re praying for him. We hope he’s doing well, and, man, everybody’s behind his back, everybody’s got him. Wishing for the best.”
A two-time Pro Bowl selection, and a first-round pick (13th overall) by the Chargers in the 2021 NFL Draft, Slater has started all 51 of the games in which he has played, including 15 last season.
He was limited to just three games in 2022 due to a ruptured biceps tendon. He made the Pro Bowl in 2021 and 2024 and was named second-team All-Pro in 2021.
Joe Alt moved across the line to handle the left tackle duties and he figures to remain there for the 2025 season. Alt was the fifth overall pick of the 2024 draft after starring at the position for Notre Dame.
Trey Pipkins III worked at right tackle after the injury. He is entering his seventh season with the Chargers and has been a starter for the last three campaigns. He was the team’s main right tackle in 2022.
–Field Level Media
