Chargers star LT Slater carted off with leg injury

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Los Angeles Chargers Pro Bowl left tackle Rashawn Slater left Thursday's practice on a medical cart with an apparent left leg injury.

Slater had begun blocking outside linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu during a team drill, but Slater began collapsing before Tuipulotu rushed him, and immediately grabbed his left leg. Slater was down with an athletic trainer for a few minutes as safety Derwin James Jr. and Denzel Perryman prayed. Eventually, Slater, unable to put weight on the leg, was helped to his feet by trainers and teammates.

Tuipulotu said after practice that he didn't see what happened to Slater, but was praying and washing for the best.

"That's just something you don't want to see," Tuipulotu said. "Not only Rashawn, but any of our players."

Many Chargers players approached Slater on the medical cart as he exited practice. Slater was noticeably frustrated on the way into the facility, slamming his fist on the cart and throwing his helmet. Slater signed a four-year $114 million contract extension just eleven days ago, including $92 million guaranteed. The deal made him the highest-paid offensive lineman by average annual pay in a contract in NFL history.

Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman predicate their offenses on dominant rushing attacks, and because of that, offensive linemen are perhaps the team's most important players.

Coaches and front office staff like to boast that the Chargers had the league's best tackle pairing with Slater and Joe Alt, the fifth pick in last year's draft. They also upgraded their line by signing guard Mekhi Becton in free agency. Earlier this week, Harbaugh said he was "bullish" on how talented the group was.

If Slater misses significant time, the Chargers will likely move Alt to left tackle and Trey Pipkins to right tackle. Pipkins started at right tackle in the 2022 and 2023 seasons. Slater's injury also isn't the only one on the line; Becton hasn't practiced since July 28 with an undisclosed injury, but offensive coordinator Greg Roman said Becton's injury is "extremely minor."

Salter's injury dimmed what was supposed to be an exciting day at the Chargers facility, The Bolt. Wide receiver Keenan Allen, who spent the first eleven years of his NFL career with the Chargers, before a year in Chicago after a trade ahead of last season, returned to practice Thursday after agreeing to a one-year deal Tuesday.