The Los Angeles Chargers are looking to bounce back from a brutal playoff loss to the Houston Texans last season. The hope was that the team would provide enough help around quarterback Justin Herbert. The team added some depth pieces on offense, but didn't do nearly enough to take a leap. They have already witnessed Mike Williams retire at the start of training camp, forcing them to bring back Keenan Allen.
Now, the 2025 season is officially going to be a difficult one for Herbert after a new injury update.
On Thursday, left tackles Rashawn Slater had to be carted off the field after an apparent left leg injury. Slater was overcome with emotion and buried his head in his hands on the cart. A few hours later, the Chargers announced that Slater suffered a torn patellar tendon that requires surgery. Due to this, later is officially out for the entire 2025 season.
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.
Justin Herbert's season became more difficult without Rashawn Slater
This injury comes just days after Slater and the Chargers agreed to terms on a four-year, $114 million contract extension, making him one of the highest paid offensive tackles in the league. Now, just a week after signing the lucrative deal, Slater is done for the year and has to recover from knee surgery.
This isn't good news for Herbert, who is looking to get the Chargers over the hump out of the tough AFC West division. There are the Kansas City Chiefs, who have a nine-year streak of winning the division, and they have a nasty defensive line consisting of Chris Jones and George Karlaftis. Then there's the Denver Broncos, who may have the best defense in football. Plus, you can't count out the Las Vegas Raiders with Maxx Crosby on the defensive line. That's not a fun six games for Herbert.
How can the Chargers replace Rashawn Slater in 2025?
One potential option would be for the Chargers to move Joe Alt from right tackle to left tackle. But, Alt began his career on the right side due to Slaters presence. would head coach Jim Harbaugh move him back before the season. Let's not forget, playing the left side and right side are completely different, especially in the NFL. Alt does have experience playing left tackle during his time at Notre Dame, but would he be willing to do so after preparing most of the offseason at right tackle?
The other option, as ESPN senior NFL insider Adam Schefter points out, is to start Trey Pipkins III. Pipkins primarily played right guard last season but split some time at right tackle. In 838 total offensive snaps last season, Slater allowed 29 total pressures, six sacks, and two quarterback hits, per Pro Football Focus. Pipkins is a downgrade from Slater, there's no mistaking it.
Whatever Harbaugh's plan may be, not having a lock-solid blind side protector for Herbert is going to hurt the Chargers' chances to contend this season.