Overview
- Over the weekend the Chargers cleared left tackle Rashawn Slater for limited practice work, with the team using controlled individual drills and the opening period of 11‑on‑11 before trainers removed him for further monitoring.
- Slater missed all of 2025 after a torn patellar tendon and had a flare‑up of his repaired left knee on August 4 that led to eight missed practices and absence from the preseason game against the 49ers.
- Coaches are managing Slater’s workload closely and have not committed to playing him in the preseason, saying they prefer to protect his availability for the regular‑season opener.
- Slater’s return lets 2024 first‑rounder Joe Alt move back to right tackle and takes on added importance after veteran center Tyler Biadasz suffered a season‑ending knee injury and rookie Jake Slaughter is expected to step in.
- A healthy Slater matters because he was a Pro Football Focus‑rated top tackle and his presence could materially improve protection for Justin Herbert after the offense allowed 54 sacks in 2025.