Rashawn Slater was forced to leave Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday with an apparent left leg injury, occurring just a week after he signed a record-setting contract extension. Details about the injury remain unclear, but early indications suggest a serious setback for the star left tackle. This injury significantly worsens the Chargers’ offensive line concerns, especially following offseason decisions that already placed the line in a vulnerable position.
Chargers’ Line Adjustments Likely Without Slater
Assuming Slater’s recovery will require an extended period, the Chargers are expected to shift Joe Alt to fill the left tackle spot, while Trey Pipkins would move to right tackle, a position he is more familiar with. This lineup adjustment mirrors what the Chargers implemented in Week 18 of last season when Slater was sidelined. Pipkins typically started as a guard, so when he moved to right tackle, Jamaree Salyer took over at left guard. Fortunately, the addition of Mekhi Becton as the starting right guard for 2025 may ease some pressure in that area compared to last year’s multiple lineup changes.
Offseason Decisions Leave Chargers Vulnerable Inside, Intensified by Injury
However, Slater’s injury exposes deeper issues along the offensive line, particularly with the left guard and center positions that were neglected during the offseason. Even before Slater’s injury, these spots were weak points in the Chargers’ line. The absence of one of the league’s top tackles only amplifies the difficulties faced by the interior offensive players, increasing pressure where it was already intense.
The Chargers are set to start three linemen at guard and center who ranked among the worst performers in the league last season. Trey Pipkins and Johnson were among the lowest in pass-blocking efficiency, ranking 44th out of 50 guards in Pro Football Focus’s metrics. Mekhi Becton, despite being a new addition and considered an upgrade, had the same low rating as Pipkins and Johnson last season, placing these starters in the bottom 12th percentile overall. At center, Corey Bozeman allowed the fourth-most pressures in the league, adding to the concerns.
Missed Opportunities to Strengthen the Offensive Line
The Chargers never aimed to build the best offensive line immediately, acknowledging that even top units have exploitable weaknesses. Still, left guard and center should have been priority targets for improvement, yet the team essentially ignored these needs through the draft and free agency. This neglect may have been rooted in confidence over maintaining the league’s best tackle tandem, a belief now severely tested by Slater’s injury.
It remains puzzling why the Chargers did not allocate more resources to the offensive line’s most glaring problems, especially given the talent available in the free-agent market and draft pool. With Slater now potentially sidelined for a prolonged stretch, the consequences of these offseason gambles have grown urgent and glaring, casting serious doubt on the line’s ability to protect the quarterback and support the offense during the upcoming season.