Rashawn Slater leaves Chargers’ first padded practice with undisclosed injury

Lead

Los Angeles Chargers left tackle Rashawn Slater left a team drill during the club’s first padded training-camp practice on 4 August and went to the medical tent. Source 1

Slater was injured during 11-on-11 work and watched the rest of the session from the sideline rather than returning to the field. Source 1Source 2

The practice took place at the University of San Diego and was the Chargers’ first padded session of the 2026 camp. Source 1

No immediate update on Slater’s condition was available after practice, putting his short-term availability in focus. Source 1Source 2

The diagnosis

The nature of Slater’s injury has not been disclosed, and neither report provided a diagnosis, severity grade or expected return date. Source 1Source 2

Head coach Jim Harbaugh had spoken to reporters before practice, so he did not provide an immediate post-incident assessment of Slater’s condition. Source 1

Slater had been medically cleared and passed his physical before the start of camp, according to the report from NewsRadio WKCY. Source 2

The situation carries added significance because Slater missed the entire 2025 season after surgery to repair a torn left patellar tendon suffered during training camp the previous August. Source 1Source 2

The available reporting does not identify the affected area in Monday’s incident or establish any connection to his previous patellar-tendon injury. Source 1Source 2

Sporting impact

Slater is an offensive tackle, and the immediate question is whether he can be available when the Chargers open the regular season at home to the Arizona Cardinals on 13 September. Source 1Source 2Source 3Source 4

Neither report names a player who would take Slater’s place if he misses practice time or any games. Source 1Source 2

Los Angeles’ first scheduled pre-season game is away to the Houston Texans on 14 August, 10 days after Slater left the padded practice. Source 4

The Chargers then have pre-season fixtures against San Francisco on 21 August and the Los Angeles Rams on 28 August, creating three scheduled games in a 15-day stretch before Week 1. Source 4

Notes

Quarterback Justin Herbert said he had briefly spoken with Slater but did not disclose details of that conversation. Source 1

Herbert also expressed confidence that Slater would return as soon as possible while acknowledging injuries as part of the NFL. Source 1

For now, the reports agree only on Slater’s early exit, his sideline observation after the incident and the absence of an immediate team update. Source 1Source 2

Further information on the diagnosis, treatment and whether Slater participates in the coming practices remains outstanding. Source 1Source 2