Chargers LT Rashawn Slater suffered torn patellar tendon in practice, will undergo season-ending surgery
Los Angeles Chargers tackle Rashawn Slater suffered a season-ending torn patellar tendon in training camp Thursday, the team announced.
He will undergo surgery and will be placed on injured reserve for the rest of the year.
The injury that forced Slater to be carted off the practice field comes just a week and a half after the Chargers made Slater the highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL history, signing the fifth-year tackle to a four-year, $114 million extension. The contract includes $92 million in guaranteed money.
Rashawn Slater sustained a torn patellar tendon in today's practice and will undergo surgery to repair the injury.
- Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) August 7, 2025
He will miss the 2025 season and be placed on Injured Reserve.
Slater went down in practice Thursday morning after a player appeared to fall on his left leg during an 11-on-11 drill. The tackle was tended to by athletic trainers for two minutes before the cart came out, with teammates gathering around as Slater was loaded onto the vehicle, via The Athletic's Daniel Popper.
Slate could not put any weight on his left leg after the injury. As he was carted off, he threw his helmet and slammed his hand on the cart before burying his face in his hands, according to The Athletic's report.
It's a brutal loss for the Chargers. Slater has been the primary blindside protector for Justin Herbert since the team drafted the lineman at No. 13 overall in 2021. The 26-year-old LT has been named to two Pro Bowls, earning the nods his rookie season and last season.
Additionally, Slater's injury is a tough loss for the Chargers' offensive approach, as the tackle works as a key blocker for head coach Jim Harbaugh's run-heavy system. Los Angeles currently has seven running backs on the roster, including free agency acquisition Najee Harris (who is still recovering from an eye injury after a Fourth of July mishap) and 2025 first-round draft pick Omarion Hampton.
With Slater out for the season, the Chargers will have to turn to their depth chart to replace him. ESPN's Kris Rhim reported that "the most likely" move is putting Joe Alt at left tackle and Trey Pipkins III to the right side.