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Rashawn Slater

Chargers’ Justin Herbert Expected To Play In Week 4

September 28th, 2024 at 6:43pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Chargers will be shorthanded along the offensive line during their Week 4 game against the Chiefs. They are on track to have Justin Herbert available, however.

Los Angeles’ franchise passer is expected to play tomorrow, Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo of NFL Network report. As long as a last-minute setback does not occur regarding Herbert’s high ankle sprain, he will be in the lineup against Kansas City. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler adds Herbert made it through the practice week without issue and that he is feeling better now than he was ahead of last week’s contest.

That game saw the 26-year-old exit after taking a sack which aggravated his ankle sprain. Herbert’s availability was in doubt for the following contest, but he quickly expressed optimism he would be able to suit up for Week 4. Signs pointed in that direction midweek, so today’s update comes as little surprise. Herbert will likely have two backup offensive tackles protecting him as he aims to play a full game, though.

Left tackle Rashawn Slater has been ruled out due to the pectoral injury he suffered last week. Rookie right tackle Joe Alt, meanwhile, has been downgraded to doubtful as a result of his MCL sprain. This year’s No. 5 pick is expected to miss time, so he is likely to join the likes of Slater and edge rusher Joey Bosa on the inactive list tomorrow.

The Chargers started 2-0 to kick off Jim Harbaugh‘s tenure as head coach, but Week 3 resulted in a 20-10 loss to the Steelers. The team’s offense was entirely ineffective during the second half, a discouraging sign for backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke if he finds himself back on the field at some point on Sunday. If all goes well, though, it will be Herbert in place throughout the contest.

Chargers RT Joe Alt Expected To Miss Time; LT Rashawn Slater Suffers Pectoral Injury

September 23rd, 2024 at 5:05pm CST by Adam La Rose

It remains to be seen who the Chargers will have at quarterback for Week 4. Regardless of if Justin Herbert is on the field or not, the team will likely be shorthanded up front.

Right tackle Joe Alt suffered an MCL sprain during the Chargers’ loss on Sunday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. As a result, this year’s fifth overall pick is expected to miss time. Rapoport does add, however, that surgery will not be needed.

Alt exceled on the blindside during his time at Notre Dame. He emerged as the top prospect in a deep offensive tackle class, and by the time his name was called by the Bolts it came as little surprise he would be joining the team. With Rashawn Slater in place on the left, Alt took on the right tackle gig as a rookie. Prior to the injury, he had thrived in that role.

The 21-year-old is unlikely to be available against the Chiefs in Week 4. Los Angeles is on the bye in Week 5, however, so Alt’s absence could prove to be short-lived especially since no surgery will not take place. The team will hope the same holds true of Slater, whom Rapoport notes is dealing with a strained pectoral muscle. The 2021 first-rounder exited Sunday’s loss to the Steelers.

In the second half of that game, Los Angeles recorded negative-five yards of total offense. Taylor Heinicke was at quarterback for much of that time, and the team’s injuries at both tackle spots were obviously a contributing factor to that production. Slater is set to collect $19.04MM next season on the fifth-year option, but it would not come as a surprise if the Chargers were to pursue an extension. Any injuries affecting him during the campaign could alter his value, though, of course.

As expected, Jim Harbaugh‘s first season as head coach of the Chargers has included a run-heavy approach on offense. That will remain especially true if Herbert cannot play in Week 4, but in addition to questions about his status it will be interesting to see how the team’s O-line looks when that game takes place.

Chargers Pick Up OT Rashawn Slater’s Fifth-Year Option

April 27th, 2024 at 10:14am CST by Ben Levine

After snagging the draft’s top offensive line prospect, the Chargers have committed to another first-round lineman through the 2025 campaign. According to ESPN’s Field Yates, the Chargers have picked up Rashawn Slater‘s fifth-year option.

[RELATED: Chargers Select Joe Alt At No. 5]

As our 2025 NFL Fifth-Year Option Tracker shows, Slater will now be attached to a fully guaranteed $19MM for the 2025 campaign. The lineman will earn a $2.9MM base salary in 2024 via the fourth year of his rookie contract.

The 13th-overall pick in the 2021 draft (and the second offensive lineman off the board), Slater has started all 36 of his appearances since joining the Chargers. The Northwestern product had a standout rookie season, earning a second-team All-Pro nod after starting all 16 of his games. He ruptured his biceps tendon three games into the 2022 campaign, ending his sophomore season prematurely.

Slater managed to return for the start of the 2023 season and proceeded to appear in every offensive snap for the Chargers. Pro Football Focus ranked Slater 17th among 81 qualifying offensive tackles last season, including one of the highest grades at the position for pass blocking.

The Chargers selected Notre Dame left tackle Joe Alt with the fifth-overall pick. While Slater has more than proven himself at LT in front of Justin Herbert, the organization is leaving the door open to Alt taking over the blind side.

“We don’t know yet. Those things are to be determined,” coach Jim Harbaugh said of the OL configuration (via the team’s website). “Count on us playing our best five offensive linemen. What position each guy plays within the offense and within the offensive line is to be determined.”

2025 NFL Fifth-Year Option Tracker

April 24th, 2024 at 10:57pm CST by Sam Robinson

NFL teams have until May 2 to officially pick up fifth-year options on 2021 first-rounders. The 2020 CBA revamped the option structure and made them fully guaranteed, rather than guaranteed for injury only. Meanwhile, fifth-year option salaries are now determined by a blend of the player’s position, initial draft placement and performance- and usage-based benchmarks:

  • Two-time Pro Bowlers (excluding alternates) will earn the same as their position’s franchise tag
  • One-time Pro Bowlers will earn the equivalent of the transition tag
  • Players who achieve any of the following will receive the average of the third-20th-highest salaries at their position:
    • At least a 75% snap rate in two of their first three seasons
    • A 75% snap average across all three seasons
    • At least 50% in each of first three seasons
  • Players who do not hit any of those benchmarks will receive the average of the third-25th top salaries at their position

With the deadline looming, we will use the space below to track all the option decisions from around the league:

  1. QB Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars ($25.66MM): Exercised
  2. QB Zach Wilson, Broncos* ($22.41MM): Declined
  3. QB Trey Lance, Cowboys** ($22.41MM): Declined
  4. TE Kyle Pitts, Falcons ($10.88MM): Exercised
  5. WR Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals ($21.82MM): Exercised
  6. WR Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins ($15.59MM): Exercised
  7. T Penei Sewell, Lions ($19MM): Extended through 2029
  8. CB Jaycee Horn, Panthers ($12.47MM): Exercised
  9. CB Patrick Surtain, Broncos ($19.82MM): Exercised
  10. WR DeVonta Smith, Eagles ($15.59MM): Extended through 2028
  11. QB Justin Fields, Steelers*** ($25.66MM): Declined
  12. DE Micah Parsons, Cowboys ($21.32MM): Exercised
  13. T Rashawn Slater, Chargers ($19MM): Exercised
  14. OL Alijah Vera-Tucker, Jets ($13.31MM): Exercised
  15. QB Mac Jones, Jaguars**** ($25.66MM): Declined
  16. LB Zaven Collins, Cardinals ($13.25MM): Declined
  17. T Alex Leatherwood, Raiders: N/A
  18. LB Jaelan Phillips, Dolphins ($13.3MM): Exercised
  19. LB Jamin Davis, Commanders ($14.48MM): Declined
  20. WR Kadarius Toney, Chiefs***** ($14.35MM): Declined
  21. DE Kwity Paye, Colts ($13.4MM): Exercised
  22. CB Caleb Farley, Titans ($12.47MM): Declined
  23. T Christian Darrisaw, Vikings ($16MM): Exercised
  24. RB Najee Harris, Steelers ($6.79MM): Declined
  25. RB Travis Etienne, Jaguars ($6.14MM): Exercised
  26. CB Greg Newsome, Browns ($13.38MM): To be exercised
  27. WR Rashod Bateman, Ravens ($14.35MM): N/A; extended through 2026
  28. DE Payton Turner, Saints ($13.39MM): Declined
  29. CB Eric Stokes, Packers ($12.47MM): Declined
  30. DE Greg Rousseau, Bills ($13.39MM): Exercised
  31. LB Odafe Oweh, Ravens ($13.25MM): Exercised
  32. LB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Buccaneers ($13.25MM): Declined

* = Jets traded Wilson on April 22, 2024
** = 49ers traded Lance on August 25, 2023
*** = Bears traded Fields on March 16, 2024
**** = Patriots traded Jones on March 10, 2024
***** = Giants traded Toney on October 27, 2022

Chargers Designate T Rashawn Slater For Return

January 10th, 2023 at 2:24pm CST by Sam Robinson

Not long after seeing Joey Bosa re-emerge after a months-long injury rehab, the Chargers will see how Rashawn Slater looks in practice. The Bolts designated the second-year left tackle for return Tuesday.

Slater, who has been out with a biceps injury since Week 3, has been on the radar for a late-season return. The Chargers have 21 days to activate the former first-round pick, but with the playoffs upon us, an activation could commence soon.

Although Bosa played just days after being designated to return to practice, Brandon Staley confirmed Slater will not take the same path. Staley said Slater will not play in Saturday’s Jaguars matchup (video link). Both Slater and Bosa went down during the Bolts’ Week 3 loss to the Jags. Those injuries played a significant part in the Chargers’ season, though the team has Bosa back and ended up rallying to a 10-win campaign and the franchise’s first playoff game in four years.

Slater’s injury, a biceps tendon tear, generally ends players’ seasons. At first, it was believed the Northwestern product would be out for the year. That may end up being the case, but Staley has hinted at a potential Slater return taking place for weeks now. This would arm the Chargers with a major reinforcement.

Last season, Slater earned Pro Bowl recognition despite both being a rookie left tackle and having opted out of his final college season. Slater helped Justin Herbert become the AFC’s Pro Bowl starter last season. The Chargers have been using sixth-round rookie Jamaree Salyer at left tackle, and while that will be the case in their Jaguars rematch, a possible Slater return in Round 2 — should the Bolts win Saturday — would be rather important for the resurgent team.

The Chargers, who have been one of the NFL’s more injury-prone teams over the past several years, again battled extensive health issues this season. Herbert’s rib injury did not cost him any time, but he struggled in the weeks immediately following the setback. Keenan Allen and Mike Williams each missed extensive time due to leg injuries, while Bosa’s groin issue shut him down for 12 games. Derwin James and Corey Linsley also missed three games apiece. Although J.C. Jackson‘s Achilles tear shut him down, the Chargers will enter the playoffs as a fairly healthy operation.

Chargers To Start Jamaree Salyer At LT

October 2nd, 2022 at 11:49am CST by Rory Parks

The Chargers have placed starting LT Rashawn Slater on injured reserve, and they will be turning to a rookie to fill the void. As Daniel Popper of The Athletic reported earlier this week, the Bolts will deploy 2022 sixth-rounder Jamaree Salyer on QB Justin Herbert‘s blind side for the team’s Week 4 matchup with the Texans (Twitter link).

It would have been fair to expect veteran Storm Norton, who started 15 games at right tackle for the Chargers in 2021 and who filled in at left tackle in Week 3 when Slater went down with a torn biceps tendon, to get the nod, at least for the next couple of games. That is especially true given that Salyer, who is listed at 6-3, has less than ideal height for an NFL tackle. Given his size, Salyer was originally drafted as a guard, though he does have long arms and acquitted himself well as a tackle against Aidan Hutchinson — this year’s No. 2 overall pick — in the College Football Playoff semifinals last year.

Salyer also has a higher ceiling than Norton, a 2017 UDFA who lost this summer’s training camp battle for the starting RT job to Trey Pipkins III. As Ian Rapoport of NFL.com writes, the expectation is that Salyer will be a capable replacement for Slater. In the first three weeks of his pro career, Salyer has seen the field for 11 special teams snaps, so Sunday’s game will represent a trial by fire.

Herbert, of course, needs all the protection he can get. The passer is dealing with fractured rib cartilage, and while he came off the injury report on Friday, head coach Brandon Staley has confirmed that the injury will linger and will impact Herbert for some time. Luckily, starting center Corey Linsley — who exited the team’s Week 2 loss to the Chiefs due to a knee injury and who was inactive for the Week 3 loss to the Jaguars — is active for Sunday’s Houston contest.

RapSheet also passes along some good news with respect to Slater. Despite reports that the second-year pro would miss the remainder of the season, he may be able to return near the end of the campaign. If the Chargers are in the playoff hunt, Slater could suit up for one of the final two games of the season, or at least for the first game of the postseason if Los Angeles should qualify.

Cornerback J.C. Jackson, like Herbert, also came off the injury report on Friday.

Minor NFL Transactions: 9/28/22

September 28th, 2022 at 6:03pm CST by Ely Allen

Here today’s minor moves from around the league:

Kansas City Chiefs

Los Angeles Chargers

Miami Dolphins

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

Seattle Seahawks

Chargers LT Rashawn Slater Likely Out For Season

September 26th, 2022 at 11:52am CST by Adam La Rose

The Chargers’ offensive line was dealt a massive blow during yesterday’s loss. Left tackle Rashawn Slater suffered a torn biceps tendon, and will likely miss the remainder of the season, reports NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero (on Twitter). 

It was already known that the 23-year-old was eyeing a lengthy absence in the aftermath of the team’s game against the Jaguars. This represents the worst-case scenario after today’s testing, though, and could be a crippling loss for Los Angeles’ offensive front.

The No. 13 overall pick last year, Slater was an immediate full-time starter on the blindside as a rookie. He entered the league with questions about whether he would be better suited on the inside at least to begin his career. He answered those rather definitively, earning Pro Bowl and Second-Team All-Pro honors.

The Northwestern alum generated a PFF grade of 83.6 last year, and his play led to similar ratings so far this season. The Chargers have taken significant steps in recent years to protect quarterback Justin Herbert, including the selection of Slater and signing of center Corey Linsley last offseason. The team invested another first-round pick in Zion Johnson this April to man the right guard spot.

With those two in place, Los Angeles should be better-equipped to handle a loss like this than in years past. Still, replacing Slater with, in all likelihood, Storm Norton, will notably weaken the team’s o-line. This news also marks another unfortunate update on the injury front early in the campaign.

Reserve tackle Andrew Trainer is on IR. More significantly, cornerback J.C. Jackson has only played in one contest so far, after undergoing offseason ankle surgery. Herbert is currently dealing with the rib cartilage injury he suffered last week, and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. Yesterday, four-time Pro Bowler Joey Bosa suffered a groin injury which will necessitate further tests (Twitter link via Pelissero’s colleague Ian Rapoport). Regardless of the length of the pass rusher’s absence, the Chargers’ 2022 prospects have taken a major hit.

NFL COVID List Updates: 12/20/21

December 20th, 2021 at 10:23pm CST by Ben Levine

A long list of players were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list. We listed the players who landed on the list today, as well as those who were activated off the list:

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills

Chicago Bears

Cleveland Browns

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Kansas City Chiefs

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

Las Vegas Raiders

Miami Dolphins

New England Patriots

New York Giants

New York Jets

  • Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DE John Franklin-Myers, DB Sharrod Neasman

Philadelphia Eagles

Seattle Seahawks

Tennessee Titans

Washington Football Team

Chargers’ Rashawn Slater Placed On COVID-19 List

December 13th, 2021 at 3:43pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Chargers will be without a key piece of their offense for their upcoming Thursday night game against the Chiefs. Left tackle Rashawn Slater has been placed on the Reserve/Covid-19 list, per the Athletic’s Daniel Popper. 

The 13th overall pick in the 2021 Draft, Slater has helped stabilize the Chargers’ offensive line – something that was sorely needed, given its performance last year. He has appeared in every game so far this season and has graded out well according to PFF, earning a 79.9 overall grade.

Coming off their 37-21 win over the Giants on Sunday, the Chargers will hope to have Keenan Allen back in time on a short week. At 8-5, they only sit one game behind the division-leading Chiefs, and need a win to further cement their hold on at least a Wild Card position.

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