Los Angeles Chargers left tackle Rashawn Slater was taken off the field on a medical cart Thursday after suffering an apparent left leg injury.
The Pro Bowler was attempting to block LB Tuli Tuipulotu during a team drill but collapsed prior to contact and immediately grabbed his left leg. Slater was eventually helped up after spending several minutes on the ground, but was unable to put any weight on his left side.
Ultimately, a cart was called out to help the 6’4″, 315lbs tackle back to the locker room. Slater recently signed a four-year $114M contract extension just eleven days ago that included $92M in guaranteed money. The deal made him the highest-paid offensive lineman in terms of AAV in a contract in NFL history.
The team has yet to offer an update on the 26 year old, though initial on field reactions from teammates didn’t appear positive. If Slater were to miss significant time, the Chargers would likely shift lineman Joe Alt to LT and move Trey Pipkins to RT.
If the injury is a prolonged one, it puts a massive damper on what was shaping up to be a season full of optimism in Chargers land. Earlier that day, WR Keenan Allen joined the team for his first practice since signing a new deal as a free agent.
The club had also brought in running backs Najee Harris and Omarion Hampton in an effort to reinvigorate their running game. Which obviously a healthy Slater would have played a major role in.
Slater has started 51 games since entering the league as a first-round pick in 2021. He missed the final 14 games of the 2022 season due to a torn biceps, but has otherwise been a stalwart along LA’s offensive line.
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