The Los Angeles Chargers are hoping that offensive tackle Rashawn Slater has a better bill of health in 2026 than he did in 2025.
The All-Pro signed a long-term deal ahead of the 2025 campaign, but missed the entire season due to a torn patellar tendon in his left knee. It’s been nearly eight months since the injury, but Slater is running at full speed in preparation for the upcoming season. Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh is thrilled about the news.
“That warmed my heart,” Harbaugh said via The Athletic insider Daniel Popper.
“Some of the goals he set when he first got injured to where he wanted to be right now, I mean, he’s above those.”
It’s a very positive sign to see Slater progressing in his recovery. At this point, he is on pace to be fully healthy and ready to go for training camp this summer, and that will benefit the Chargers tremendously. Without Slater last season, the Chargers’ offensive line ended up becoming one of the worst units in the league. They simply didn’t have the depth to withstand an injury to both Slater and Joe Alt, a fellow first-round pick on the opposite side of the line.
If Slater and Alt can make full recoveries going into the season while staying healthy, it will keep quarterback Justin Herbert upright. It will give the Chargers a better opportunity to get over the hump of being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs for consecutive years.
