Rashawn

Slater

Slater suffered a high-ankle sprain and had surgery — a tight-rope procedure — to try to accelerate his return. Sounds like a pretty severe version of a high-ankle sprain. He’ll miss at least the next four weeks and be eligible to return in Week 9. The Bolts are dealing with a ton of injuries along their offensive line and it’s currently unknown how that will shake out for Week 5, which we’re sure Justin Herbert is loving.

The injury, sustained during the Bolts’ Week 4 loss to the Seahawks, will cost Slater between four and six weeks, Rapoport said. It’s yet another massive blow for the struggling Chargers offense. Through Week 4 the Chargers rank 30th in ESPN’s pass blocking win rate and fifth in run blocking win rate. Justin Herbert’s weekly prospects take a hit with the oft-injured Slate sidelined, as do the prospects of LA’s pass catchers.

It’s hard to imagine things getting much worse for the 0-4 Chargers, but losing Slater for any amount of time will be bad news for a line that’s already struggling. Slater will undergo an MRI to confirm the severity of his injury, but he’s likely to miss a handful of weeks while recovering from his latest injury. Logan Taylor is listed behind Slater on the team’s unofficial depth chart and will presumably draw the start in Week 5 against the Broncos.

Rashawn Slater (groin) and Cole Strange (pectoral) were removed from the injury report on Friday. The end result of these moves will likely be Trevor Penning starting at guard. Nobody ever said life was easy for Justin Herbert.

Chargers RG Cole Strange (pec) also upgraded to full participation today. Chargers G/T Trey Pipkins (knee) and LG Kayode Awosika (fibula) remained sidelined. Slate and Strange’s improvements are encouraging, but this unit is still in rough shape. Hopefully, everyone can remain setback-free.

Slater popped up on the injury report with a groin issue, getting in a limited practice Wednesday. Multiple other members of the Chargers’ offensive line were also in the injury report, with G Cole Strange (pec) getting in a limited practice and G/T Trey Pipkins (knee) and G Kayode Awosika (fibula) not practicing. There is no indication yet that Slater will miss time but the Chargers offensive line is already banged up early in the season.

Slater resumed practicing in a limited capacity yesterday after taking two weeks off due to a “little flare-up” in his surgically repaired knee. Slater, 27, suffered a season-ending patellar tendon rupture in August last year. It is unclear what type of progress, if any, he was able to make during his two-week absence, but we should find out soon enough. Coach Jim Harbaugh said he hopes to play his starters through two full drives in Thursday’s preseason game against the Rams. Hopefully, Slater accomplishes that feat without issue.

Slater has not practiced since Thursday, but said it is “nothing to be concerned about.” OK, if you say so. After watching how the Christian Darrisaw situation unfolded last year in Minnesota, we think you’re well within your rights to be a little concerned about this even if we’re not in the realm of outright panic just yet.

Slater suffered a season-ending patellar tendon rupture in his left knee last year. He took a trip to the medical tent on Tuesday, and The Athletic’s Daniel Popper later reported that trainers were working on his left leg. He resumed practicing on Wednesday, though, and was seen participating in team drills on Thursday. He appears to be good to go.

Justin Herbert said Slater “wanted to get back on the field and was in good spirits afterward.” This probably isn’t anything to be super-concerned about, but it’s possible Slater could miss a little camp time.