The Los Angeles Chargers did not get good news on the injury to tackle Rashawn Slater.
The Chargers announced that Slater sustained a torn patellar tendon during practice on Thursday and would undergo season-ending surgery to repair the injury.
Slater was carted off the practice field Thursday after apparently injuring his left leg.
“I was in on the play, so I turned around and he was down. I didn’t know what happened,” newly signed wide receiver Keenan Allen said.
Slater’s teammates came up to hug him before he was taken away.
“We’re praying for him, man. We hope he’s doing well,” outside linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu said. “That’s just something you don’t want to see.”
Slater was hurt less than two weeks after signing a multi-year contract extension last month.
He has started all 52 career games at left tackle since being drafted 13th overall by the Chargers in the first round in 2021. Slater has been Justin Herbert’s main protector, allowing the quarterback to set several league-wide passing records.
Last season, Slater’s presence helped the offence commit a franchise-record eight turnovers, tying for the second-fewest offensive turnovers in a single season in NFL history.
