The Los Angeles Chargers suffered a significant blow when offensive tackle Rashawn Slater tore his patellar tendon during practice earlier this week, ruling him out for the entire 2025 NFL season. This injury comes after the Chargers recently signed Slater to a contract making him the highest-paid offensive tackle in the league, highlighting his importance to the team’s offensive line.

Data Highlights the Scale of the Chargers’ Offensive Challenge

Analytics experts warn that Slater’s absence will severely harm the Chargers’ offensive production. According to Hayden Winks of Underdog Fantasy, losing Slater at left tackle translates to a loss of approximately 0.1 Expected Points Added (EPA) per play. This statistical drop mirrors the difference in offensive capability witnessed between the Green Bay Packers and the Jacksonville Jaguars last season.

Winks emphasized the impact of this loss, stating,

“Chargers losing LT Rashawn Slater typically means losing about 0.1 EPA per play. For reference, that would be the difference between the Packers and Jaguars offenses last year.”

—Hayden Winks, Analyst

Potential Consequences for Justin Herbert and the Chargers’ 2025 Season

The Packers made the playoffs last year, whereas the Jaguars only managed a 4-13 record, underscoring the dramatic gap in offensive efficiency that the Chargers risk falling into without Slater’s protection. The team’s quarterback, Justin Herbert, relies heavily on the offensive line to guard his blindside, and Slater’s loss threatens to undermine the offense’s overall performance and durability throughout the season.

The Chargers are unlikely to accept a season resembling the Jaguars’ struggles, but without their key offensive line leader, the road ahead may be far more difficult than anticipated. The injury injects uncertainty into the Chargers’ campaign and raises urgent questions about how the team will compensate for this critical absence.