Last season provided the Chargers with another round of high-profile injury trouble, with the tackle position seeing the most significant setbacks. Rashawn Slater missed the full season, while Joe Alt played only six games. Their absences could certainly be felt in a season-ending loss to the Patriots.
But the team is trending toward having both its starting tackles available by training camp. Jim Harbaugh said Wednesday (via The Athletic’s Daniel Popper) it is looking like both players will be ready for the start of camp. Both participated in OTAs today as well, according to ESPN.com’s Kris Rhim. This came weeks after GM Joe Hortiz proclaimed the tandem ahead of schedule.
Slater suffered a patellar tendon tear days after signing a record-setting tackle extension (four years, $114MM), representing important timing for the Pro Bowl blocker on the contract front. Alt slid to left tackle, his primary college position, but ran into health trouble early in the season. missing time with a high ankle sprain. Although Alt returned to action, he aggravated the issue and ended up undergoing season-ending surgery to address it.
The Chargers traded for two tackles between August and the November deadline, acquiring Austin Deculus and Trevor Penning. The latter, a former Saints first-round pick, re-signed with the team on a one-year deal worth $3.5MM. Penning is expected to be part of the Bolts’ left guard competition, though he could also provide important tackle depth.
Slater is entering his sixth NFL season and has dealt with two significant injuries. He missed 14 games in 2022 because of a biceps tendon tear. The Northwestern product still has two Pro Bowls on his resume, including a 2024 invite, and is one of the NFL’s top tackles. Chosen fifth overall and immediately moved to right tackle, Alt missed one game as a rookie and 11 last year. The Chargers still have Trey Pipkins rostered and used a fourth-round pick on Travis Burke at the position.
As the team hopes to give Justin Herbert premier protection on the edges, Tyler Biadasz and Cole Strange are set to respectively line up at center and right guard. Second-round pick Jake Slaughter, a three-year center for the Gators, is vying for the team’s left guard job. Slaughter rotated in at OTAs today, per Rhim, but free agency addition Kayode Awosika received the first reps. Awosika, who is tied to a one-year deal worth $2MM ($300K guaranteed), started 11 games for the Lions over the past four seasons.
The Chargers are set to trot out five new O-line starters compared to their configuration in the wild-card round, with a Slater-Slaughter-Biadasz-Strange-Alt quintet presumably where the team wants to be by Week 1. Pipkins, Penning and Awosika present experienced depth options as well.
Slater’s injury history is a concern at this point, but the Chargers are hoping the 27-year-old blocker can stay on the field and form a high-end tackle combo with Alt. The latter will become extension-eligible in 2027.